The fourth edition of the Asian Para Games has officially begun on Sunday, 22nd October 2023. Host city Hangzhou hosted a glittering Opening ceremony on the day at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Expo Center in China. The Games returns to China for the second time following Guangzhou in 2010.
Also Read: Asian Para Games Opening Ceremony: When & where to watch, live streaming, and other details
China’s Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang declared the Games open at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium. A total of 43 nations, affiliated with the National Paralympic Committee, will participate in this edition of the Asian Para Games. 3,000 talented para-athletes from these nations will feature in 566 medal events across 22 sports divided into 24 disciplines. 19 venues across Hangzhou will host the sporting events.
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The Opening Ceremony
Inspired by the slogan of this year’s Games, the theme of the opening ceremony was “Hearts Meet, Dreams Shine.” People with disability participated in every junction of the ceremony, from the athletes’ parade to the artistic performances to the lighting of the flame.
A giant golden osmanthus flower floated in the air and turned into a crown, marking the opening of the ceremony. The flwoer’s fragrance also spread throughout the arena as small blossoms converged into a huge plant created using augmented reality (AR) technology.