Paralympics opening ceremony surpasses that of the Olympics as Paris makes sublime use of its architectural jewels amid tight security

An opening ceremony surpassing that of the Olympics brought the Paralympics’ record number of competitors processing en masse down the Champs-Elysees here on Wednesday night as the sun went down behind them.

It was an extraordinary symbol of mobility and more evidence of Paris’ sublime use of its architectural jewels this summer, with the Place de la Concorde turned into a stadium for an event which demonstrated the value of conventionality. An absence of the rain which drenched the convoluted Olympic event certainly helped.

Security remains tight here. Police snipers were visible on surrounding buildings. France cannot rest. But the spectacle contributed to an unmistakable sense that Paris is the first host to challenge London 2012 as the greatest Paralympics we have seen.

The fact that only eight athletes joined a 50-strong GB contingent at the ceremony demonstrated the competitive intensity of a nation striving for a seventh successive top three medals table finish. Every minute of rest and preparation is considered essential.

The GB contingent feel that the Americans are, as UK Sport performance director Dr Kate Baker put it here on Wednesday morning, ‘coming over the hill’ – building a squad of greater force to ‘give them a greater presence in the Paralympic space’ for the Los Angeles event of 2028.

The spectacular opening ceremony showcased France’s architecture in impressive fashion

Singer Lucky Love performs in an opening ceremony that surpassed that of the Olympics

President of the International Paralympic Committee Andrew Parsons delivers a speech

South African dancer Musa Motha was amongst those involved in the opening ceremony

‘Have we seen any fruits yet from the US? Possibly not, but I think what we see in the next 11 days will be interesting,’ said Dr Baker. The US haven’t beaten GB in the medals table since the Atlanta Olympics of 1996. The British have finished second at every Olympics this century, bar 2012, when Russia overtook them.

But for this night at least, ceremony transcended narrow calculations. There was a huge welcome for the Palestinian delegation. A series of short films gave voice to people with disability, describing their journey to confidence in the people they are. A beautiful spectacle, played out beneath a divine Parisian night sky.