Paralympic fast hits: The Video games flip crimson white and blue, DJ Myd guidelines the dance flooring, and Aussies make it in fashion

The French colors had been all over the place you appeared through the Opening Ceremony, a neighborhood DJ acquired his playlist spot on, and the Australians had been definitely worth the wait as they hit the Champs-Élysées.

Listed below are your fast hits from Paris

Superb Paris takes over

We might have had all 5 fast hits saying precisely the identical factor — Paris is ideal.

We’ll keep on with one, however my goodness, how stunning was the Metropolis of Lights on the night time of nights?

Superb scorching climate and blue skies morphed into attractive sundown colors and an environment tailored for a gap ceremony.

Add within the normal pleasure and optimistic vibes from a Paralympics opening, and also you had a recipe for one thing particular. 

Pink, white and blue the order of the night

It got here as little shock, however to paraphrase Sesame Avenue, this opening ceremony was dropped at you by the colors crimson, white and blue.

After all the Paralympic brand colors of crimson, inexperienced and blue had been outstanding, nevertheless it was the best way the organisers put the French nationwide flag colors entrance and centre that actually impressed.

From some early tricoloured fireworks to the visceral influence of the Patrouille acrobatique de France’s flyby trailing the aforementioned colored smoke, to DJ Myd (extra of him shortly) manning the decks clad in … you guessed it, the colors had been omnipresent through the ceremony.

After all there was the precise French flag raised within the Place de la Concorde through the formal a part of proceedings, matched by a tricoloured projection on the well-known Luxor Obelisk.

What else would you anticipate, actually? These Video games are going to be very French, and that is an excellent factor. 

DJ Myd guidelines in Paris

Once you need a get together to go off, and maintain the vibe operating, what do you want? A DJ who is aware of what they’re doing.

The opening ceremony actually had that, as Quentin Lepoutre, higher often called DJ Myd, smashed it on the Place de la Concorde from begin to end.

His mixture of cracking tunes saved the Parade of Athletes transferring, with the likes of So flute by St Germain, and La Valse d’Amélie Poulain by Yann Tiersen, made well-known within the film Amélie.

And when the French staff marched into view and had been introduced to a mess of roars from the group, what did our DJ hit us with?

None aside from the basic Les Champs-Élysées by Joe Dassin — bringing cheers and a refrain of fifty,000 on the Place and 1000’s extra on the aforementioned boulevard.

As they might say at a sure sporting awards night time, “DJ Myd, 3 votes”!

Will not somebody consider the Phryges?

For each performer in a gap ceremony, it is a difficult job.

You must keep in mind generally intricate choreography whereas performing in entrance of a very world viewers.

However there are ranges — and on the opening of Paralympics 2024, the best degree was reserved for the Phryges, the interestingly-shaped mascots which might be formally anthropomorphic Phrygian caps, a logo of France.

The problem is that not like the Olympics opening ceremony, which was chilly and really moist, the Paralympics opening was performed on a wonderful however scorching and humid 30-degree Celsius night in central Paris.

The precise performers in plenty of the massive routines appeared like they had been heat sufficient — however the challenge was for the mascots who had been on stage on the Place de la Concorde all through the Parade of Athletes, dancing round on stage.

Sadly, the Phryges had no fridges available to chill down. We hope they’re all okay.

Paralympics motto ‘Video games broad open’ about greater than sport

The Paralympic Video games are the world’s largest showcase for Paralympic sport — however they’re additionally much more.

The motto of the Paris Video games is “Video games broad open”, highlighting Paris’ openness to the feelings of sport and the athletes.

IPC president Andrew Parsons used his speech to speak in regards to the athletes’ talents, expertise and resilience, but in addition known as on folks to “open our minds broad”.

“Paralympic athletes are usually not right here to take part, no, sir. They don’t seem to be taking part in video games. They’re right here to compete, win and smash world information!

“However Paralympians are additionally right here to attain one thing far better than private glory.

“They need equality and inclusion for themselves and for the world’s 1.3 billion individuals with disabilities. By means of their performances, Paralympic athletes will problem stigma, alter attitudes and redefine the boundaries of what you assume is feasible.”

If we will discover a manner of celebrating distinction and valuing folks with disabilities past the upcoming 11 days of wonderful sport, then perhaps the Video games’ motto may have an enduring influence.

Aussies make it in fashion

After all of the build-up and ready for the beginning of the Video games, the Francophone order of countries meant we needed to wait simply that bit longer to catch sight of the Australian staff in Paris.

Lastly, they appeared in unison, marching down the Champs-Élysées with not a care on this planet, taking within the cheers of the group and looking out — just like the representatives of the opposite 167 nations on the Video games — like they had been having the time of their lives.

Carrying the flag on the head of the march had been para-swimmer Brenden Corridor and wheelchair racing star Madison de Rozario. Corridor was trying remarkably chipper contemplating he will probably be in motion in just a few hours’ time (at time of publication) within the Paralympic pool.

And the massive query … how was the ceremonial uniform? Unscientific trawls of social media appeared to counsel folks appreciated it greater than the Olympic model, and positively the muted military inexperienced labored nicely with the white shorts.

However no matter what they appeared like, it was nice to see the staff being a part of the massive night time — and we won’t wait to see them in motion.

Paris left with golden glow as cauldron lights once more

Whereas the Paralympics are undoubtedly not the Olympics with totally different logos, occasions and organisations, some issues end up the identical.

Exhibit one, the cauldron.

The new-air balloon used for the opposite Paris Video games proved such a powerful spectacle that the Paralympics stated thanks, we’ll take that.

As an alternative of the likes of Rafael Nadal, Nadia Comaneci, Zinedine Zidane and Marie Jo Perec, Paralympics organisers discovered their very own mixture of homegrown and worldwide stars to assist get the Video games underway.