Seven riders were among the athletes chosen as flag bearers for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games opening ceremony last night (28 August).
Both Danish flag bearers are riders – Tobias Thorning Joergensen and Katrine Kristensen were given the honour.
Pepo Puch carried the Austrian flag, Manon Clays was selected for Belgium, Laura Kangasniemi for Finland, Latvia chose Rihards Snikus, and Louise Etzner Jakobsson carried the flag for Sweden.
Manon Claeys (pictured, waving) was among the flag bearers at the Paris 2024 Paralympic opening ceremony.
(Image credit: Belga News Agency/Alamy Live News)
International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons called for freedom, inclusion and equality in his speech at the opening ceremony.
“At a time of growing global conflict, increasing hate, and rising exclusion, let sport be the social glue that brings us together,” he said.
“Here at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, we will celebrate what makes us different, show there is strength in difference, beauty in difference, and that difference serves as a powerful force for good.”
He added: “As we prepare for Games Wide Open [the Paris 2024 slogan], let us open our minds wide.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“For what you will witness from Paralympic athletes are abilities and skills that surprise you, levels of resilience and determination that energise you, and camaraderie that will inspire you.
“Paralympic athletes are not here to participate. They’re not playing games. They are here to compete, win, and smash world records.
“Paralympians are also here to achieve something far greater than personal glory. They want equality and inclusion for themselves and for the world’s 1.3 billion persons with disabilities.
“Through their performances Paralympic athletes will challenge stigma, alter attitudes, and redefine the limits of what you think is possible.
“The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will show what persons with disabilities can achieve at the highest level when the barriers to succeed are removed.
“The fact these opportunities largely exist only in sport in the year 2024 is shocking. It is proof we can and must do more to advance disability inclusion – whether on the field of play, in the classroom, concert hall or in the boardroom.
“That is why 225 years on from when Place de la Concorde was central to the French Revolution, I hope Paris 2024 starts a Paralympic revolution, the inclusion revolution.”
Britain’s horses travelled to France today (29 August) with the equestrian competition set to start on Tuesday (3 September).
Before the equestrian action gets under way, Suzanna Hext – a multiple medallist both on a horse and in the swimming pool – will be in action in the S5 100m freestyle at the Paris La Défense Arena tomorrow (Friday, 30 August).
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
