Indian team led by Sumit, Bhagyashri for Paralympics opening ceremony

Paris: In the athletes' parade of the Paralympic Games opening ceremony, which took place over four hours in Paris at the Champs-Elysees avenue to the Place de la Concorde, the Indian contingent was led by javelin throw star Sumit Antil and shot putter Bhagyashri Jadhav.

The Games were declared open by French President Emmanuel Macron. With 84 competitors competing in 12 different sports, the 179-person Indian presence is the highest in the country's history at the Paralympic Games.

The opening ceremony was an ode to diversity, resilience, and the spirit of competition, and featured performances that highlighted French culture and the Paralympic values of determination and equality.

India had won 19 medals, including five gold at the previous edition of the Games, and the country is hoping to take the number to at least 25 with a double-digit haul of gold medals, PTI reported.

Several proven performers are in the team, including rifle shooter Avani Lekhara (10m Air Rifle Standing SH1), who became the first woman to win a Paralympic gold in Tokyo.

Other podium contenders include para-archer Sheetal Devi, who shoots with her legs as she was born without arms, landmine blast survivors Hokato Sema (shot putter) and Narayana Konganapalle (rower).

India's ambition has been powered by its strong performance in the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou last year when the country won a record 111 medals, including 29 gold.

Over 4,000 athletes with various physical and intellectual disabilities will compete in the showpiece that will conclude on September 8.

"The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will show what persons with disabilities can achieve at the highest level when the barriers to succeed are removed," International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons said in his speech.