PARIS — With pleasant weather and a cool summer breeze, the Paralympic opening ceremony took place on Wednesday at the iconic Place de la Concorde.

This setting was a stark contrast to the rainy Olympic opening which had occurred just a month prior, nicely complementing the evening’s theme.

Taking place in a square once known as Place de la Révolution, the ceremony symbolized a transformation in para-athletics, starting with “discord” and culminating in “concord.” The nearly four-hour event took viewers on a journey emphasizing the importance of including people with disabilities.

The open-air locale was a fitting choice for the first ever outdoor Paralympic opening ceremony located outside a stadium, right in the center of Paris.

At 10:37 p.m. local time (4:37 ET), French President Emmanuel Macron officially declared the 2024 Paralympic Games open, kicking off the 11-day event with 168 nations participating and 4,400 athletes. Throughout the ceremony, which highlighted the theme “Paradox: From Discord to Concord,” audiences enjoyed various performances including dances and videos showcasing the struggles of disabled individuals.

With so much taking place, especially with multiple performances at one location, several elements were overlooked during NBC’s coverage. Below are five noteworthy moments you didn’t catch.

Arrival at the Ceremony

The City of Lights witnessed a historic Paralympic opening ceremony at the renowned Place de la Concorde and Champs-Élysées. Unlike the Olympics, this ceremony was a free event, promoting the Games’ ideals of inclusivity and accessibility.

However, the inclusivity effort did have some challenges. Attendees faced long lines and confusion at security checkpoints to enter the outdoor venue. While the ceremony unfolded, the stands gradually filled with an audience of 15,000, alongside 35,000 additional spectators in the square.

On stage, the presentation dazzled the audience. Artistic director Thomas Jolly and creative director Alexander Ekman designed a program that reflected both French culture and the valued place of individuals with disabilities in society.

The way performers entered varied; for instance, NBC viewers saw a clip of former Paralympian and TV star Théo Curin as he transported other French Paralympians to the ceremony.

Curin arrived in a red Toyota adorned with miniature versions of the Paralympic mascot, “Phryge,” and exited the venue in the same fashion he entered — heading down a street toward the Bassin Octogonal.

Minutes later, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when the red car returned about 14 minutes in, this time bringing artist Christine and the Queens to the stage.

Audience Engagement with Athletes

The fan interactions with athletes during the parade were largely omitted from the broadcast.

Supporters from Brazil were particularly lively, as athletes initiated a wave and thrived off the energy of the crowd. The delegations from Canada and Denmark also engaged enthusiastically with fans through the parade.

France, as expected, received the warmest welcome when they paraded in, accompanied by a vibrant rendition of “Les Champs-Elysees” from the crowd.

The night felt like a grand festival for everyone present. Fans danced and joined in chants and songs throughout the nearly four-hour ceremony.

Set Changes Behind the Scenes

In contrast to the Olympics, where performances were held at various venues, the Paralympic opening ceremony required intricate behind-the-scenes coordination to transition sets between acts.

While the audience and cameras captured the stunning red, white, and blue smoke from French jets filling the arena, a dedicated team of volunteers swiftly cleaned up any debris and dust left behind.

The props and staging required significant effort behind the scenes to ensure a seamless event. Performers discreetly retrieved their canes from behind the stage while the main performance continued on, remaining unseen by the audience.

Additionally, officials stationed around the venue ensured that artists could smoothly enter and exit the stage without delays.

Athletes Depart After the Parade

Following the parade, members of the American team decided to leave their seats rather than stay. This choice aligns well with the tight Paralympic schedule.

Para-badminton kicks off at 8:30 a.m. local time, leaving little time after the opening ceremony, which extended past midnight. The Americans were not alone in their early departure.

Other nations were also scheduled to start their events early, and it was noticeable that the Chinese team had fewer attendees compared to when the parade began.

What Happened to the Torch?

For many attendees in the outdoor area, the NBC broadcast on large round screens provided useful glimpses. Once the cauldron, which had also illuminated the skies during the Olympic Games, was raised on Wednesday, it became the only moment many in attendance could witness it.

As the broadcast came to a close, spectators were treated to a festive scene to celebrate the successful commencement of the Paralympic Games.