Aug 28, 2024 - Sports

In photos: Paris 2024 Paralympics opening ceremony makes history

Rebecca Falconer

Fireworks are fired during the Opening Ceremony for the 2024 Paralympics, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Paris, France. — Fireworks light up the opening ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games on Wednesday, Aug. 28 in Paris, France. Photo: AP Photo/Thibault Camus, Pool via Getty Images

The Paralympic Games kicked off with a bang in Paris, France, on Wednesday, with the event's first-ever outdoor opening ceremony.

The big picture: Some 4,400 athletes will compete in 549 medal events across 22 sports during the Games, which run from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8. Team USA has topped the medal table at nine Paralympic Games — more than any other country.

The U.S. delegation parades at the Place de la Concorde with the Obelisque de Louxor (Luxor Obelisk) in the background during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony in Paris on Aug. 28. Photo: Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images

Christine and the Queens performs during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Place de la Concorde on August 28, 2024 in Paris, France. — Christine and the Queens, AKA Redcar, performs during the opening ceremony at Place de la Concorde on August 28, 2024 in Paris. Photo: Marco Mantovani/Getty Images

- LtoR, France's paralympic torchbearers, Charles-Antoine Kaoukou, Nantenin Keita, Fabien Lamirault, Alexis Hanquinquant and Elodie Lorandi hold the Paralympic flame in front of the Paralympic cauldron during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony at the Jardin des Tuileries . — L-R; France's Paralympic torchbearers: Charles-Antoine Kaoukou, Nantenin Keita, Fabien Lamirault, Alexis Hanquinquant and Elodie Lorandi hold the Paralympic flame in front of the Paralympic cauldron during the Paris Games Opening Ceremony at the Jardin des Tuileries (Tuileries Garden) in Paris on Aug. 28. Photo: Franck FRANCK Fife/AFP via Getty Images

Flashback... In photos: Athletes sail through Seine River for Paris Olympics opening ceremony

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In photos: Paris 2024 Paralympics opening ceremony makes history

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