Channel 4’s cheeky Paralympic promos gets fans buzzing before opening ceremony

Virgin Radio

28 Aug 2024, 10:50

Channel 4 adds a cheeky twist to their coverage as Paris prepares to host its first-ever Paralympic Games.

The City of Light is about to shine even brighter as the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games kicks off today with an opening ceremony that promises to be as iconic as the landmarks it will pass through.

For the first time in history, the Paralympic Games will be held in Paris, and what a show it's set to be! From August 28th to September 8th, around 4,400 athletes from all corners of the globe will descend on the French capital to compete in 549 medal events across 22 sports.

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But don’t expect the usual stadium fanfare for the opening ceremony. Non, mes amis! This year, the athletes will parade down the world’s most famous avenue, the Champs-Élysées, before arriving at the stunning Place de la Concorde.

It’s a red carpet affair, Parisian style! As Paralympic wheelchair basketball medallist and IPC Athletes’ Commission President Jitske Visser put it: “What an incredible moment for our athletes, who will be part of a historic Opening Ceremony, on the world’s most famous avenue, surrounded by all the charm of Paris.”

And she’s not wrong—it’s a setting fit for champions!

Channel 4, never one to shy away from a bit of cheeky banter, has been up to its old tricks with some brilliantly creative TV descriptions in the lead-up to the games.

With a whopping 1,300 hours of live sport set to air across Channel 4, More4, Channel 4 Streaming, and Channel 4 Sport's YouTube, they’ve certainly gone all out.

And it’s not just the coverage that’s got people talking—it’s the hilariously pun-filled descriptions for the TV schedule that have taken X (formerly known as Twitter) by storm.

Channel 4’s scheduling team clearly had a blast tying in their shows with the Paralympics.

Take the description for Frasier, for example: “Frasier struggles to throw out an old pot. He could do with some help from javelin world champion Hollie Arnold, who's really good at throwing. The Paralympics start today.”

Or how about the nod to long jump hopeful Maddie Down with The Simpsons: “Jumping forward 10 years, Lisa writes her Harvard admission essay. Maddie Down will also be hoping for a big leap when she competes in the long jump in Paris. The Paralympics start today.”

Even A Place in the Sun got in on the fun, reminding viewers that: “Linda and Peter want a holiday home in Italy. Coincidentally, Italy hosted the first official Paralympic Games in 1960. We're now on the 17th edition - which starts in Paris later today!”

And as for A New Life in the Sun: Where Are They Now?, Channel 4’s team cheekily quipped: “We catch up with vegan B&B owners in France. Oh, and guess what starts this evening in France? That's right, the Paralympics!”

It’s no surprise that fans took to social media to praise Channel 4’s light-hearted approach, with comments ranging from “That’s really rather wonderful. Good for them,” to “Brilliant idea!”

One user summed it up perfectly: “Love this—cheeky and on brand for you.”

As the games get underway, all eyes are on Paris. From the Eiffel Tower to the Grand Palais, and now with the Paralympics taking centre stage, the city is set to dazzle like never before.

With Channel 4’s coverage and a bit of French flair, the Paris 2024 Paralympics is sure to be an unforgettable event. Let the games begin!