Photo: Calixto Llanes/JIT

Havana, Aug 28 (RHC) The Cuban delegation brought joy to the opening ceremony of the 17th edition of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, held on Wednesday at the Place de la Concorde in the French capital.

The representation of the largest Antillean island was the 40th to pass, of the 182 that will compete in the multisport event until September 8.

The flag bearers, Omara Durand and Robiel Yankiel Sol, world record holders and Paralympic champions in Tokyo 2020, led the Cuban delegation that followed in their footsteps to the rhythm of the music in the act that condensed history and its paradoxes.

The parade was along the Champs Elysees, from the Arc de Triomphe, with the presence of all athletes and the 65 thousand spectators installed in stands in the Place de la Concorde and its surroundings, who enjoyed the beautiful show, designed by Thomas Jolly, artistic director of the ceremonies of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Enmanuel Macron, President of France, officially opened the Games, whose cauldron was lit and will take off in its balloon into the Parisian sky every night, as happened during the two weeks of the Olympic competitions that ended on August 12.

As in Tokyo 2020, Omara is favorite to climb to the top of the podium in the 100, 200 and 400 meters, category T12, and if she repeats, she would reach 11 titles at this level, while Robiel Yankiel will seek his second in the long jump, to be both at the height of their status as standard bearers.

Cuba expects to win around 10 medals and be among the top 25 countries.

Organizers announced that 4,400 athletes with physical, intellectual and visual disabilities and paralysis or brain injury will participate in the Games, from 182 countries in 23 sports -549 events- in 18 venues.

The closing ceremony of the Paralympics will be held on September 8 at the Stade de France, the same venue that hosted the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games (Source: ACN).