Editing Paralympic Games (section)

==Ceremonies==
===Opening===
[[File:Paralympics Opening Ceremony.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A portion of the stadium with stands full of people, a large artificial tree is on the right side of the image. A group of people are walking together on the stadium floor|Opening ceremony of the [[2004 Summer Paralympics]] in [[Athens]]]]
As mandated by the Paralympic Charter, various elements frame the opening ceremonies of the Paralympic Games. Most of these rituals were established are the same that [[1920 Summer Olympics]] in Antwerp and were shared with the [[Olympic Games]].<ref name=OCprotocol1>{{cite web |title=The Modern Olympic Games |publisher=International Olympic Committee |page=5 |url= http://www.olympic.org/Documents/Reports/EN/en_report_668.pdf |archive-date=2015-04-15 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150415035028/http://www.olympic.org/Documents/Reports/EN/en_report_668.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> The Opening ceremony typically starts with the hoisting of the host country's flag and a performance of its national anthem. Immediately after the welcome act and the host country anthem and hosting their flag the "Parade of Nations" starts with the athletes into the stadium grouped by nation. Since the [[1960 Summer Paralympics]], the nations enter the stadium alphabetically according to the host country's or region official language, though with the host country's athletes being the last to enter. Beginning with the 2020 Summer Paralympics, the succeeding hosts of the respective Olympic Games (summer or winter) will enter immediately before the current host in descending order. The host nation presents artistic displays of their culture and folklore.

Protocolary segments are held with the speeches given, formally opening the games. After the opening declaration, the Paralympic flag enters the stadium and is hosted along with the Paralympic Anthem, aside from the host country flag, and the oaths by athletes, coaches, and judges are taken. Finally, the Paralympic flame is brought into the stadium and passed on until it reaches the final torch carrier—often a Paralympic athlete from the host nation—who lights the Paralympic flame in the stadium's cauldron.<ref>{{cite web |title=Paralympic opening ceremony to be 'family friendly' |publisher=Canwest News Service |work=The Vancouver Sun |date=2010-03-12 |url=https://vancouversun.com/health/Paralympic+opening+ceremony+family+friendly/2676023/story.html |access-date=2010-05-03 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100317140459/http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Paralympic%2Bopening%2Bceremony%2Bfamily%2Bfriendly/2676023/story.html |archive-date=2010-03-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Closing===
The closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games takes place after all sporting events have concluded. Flag-bearers from each participating country enter, followed by the athletes who enter together, without any national distinction.
The [[Paralympic flag]] is taken down. Since the [[1988 Winter Paralympics]], with some exceptions, the national flag of the country hosting the next Summer or Winter Paralympic Games is hoisted while the corresponding national anthem is played. The games are officially closed, and the Paralympic flame is extinguished.<ref>[https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:gYE3_zHFNG4J:www.paralympic.org/export/sites/default/IPC/IPC_Handbook/Section_1/2009_11_20_Intellectual_Property_Bylaws_GB_approved.pdf+IPC+Handbook+June+2009+Bylaws+Governance+and+Organizational+and+Organizational+Structure,&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiWjg41x66Augn939CIag30vfielmgvqkGvzutyt2JY14aQsNRFV8bL4vbCOx4T2bc2BbDPuMHJgrbh3qy0H3lYiiR6PGTtQe9R58CERqilz0voxEZ72xzSyyLEydWvz8fngwQI IPC Handbook June 2009 Bylaws Governance and Organizational and Organizational Structure] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824094356/https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache%3AgYE3_zHFNG4J%3Awww.paralympic.org%2Fexport%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2FIPC%2FIPC_Handbook%2FSection_1%2F2009_11_20_Intellectual_Property_Bylaws_GB_approved.pdf+IPC+Handbook+June+2009+Bylaws+Governance+and+Organizational+and+Organizational+Structure%2C&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiWjg41x66Augn939CIag30vfielmgvqkGvzutyt2JY14aQsNRFV8bL4vbCOx4T2bc2BbDPuMHJgrbh3qy0H3lYiiR6PGTtQe9R58CERqilz0voxEZ72xzSyyLEydWvz8fngwQI |date=2021-08-24 }} (Google Quick View), [[International Paralympic Committee]] (IPC)</ref> After these compulsory elements, the next host nation briefly introduces itself with artistic displays of dance and theater representative of its culture.

===Medal presentation===
[[Image:2010 Winter Paralympics Men's Biathlon pursuit vi medalists.jpg|thumb|alt=six men stand together wearing Paralympic medals and waving flower bouquets|A medal ceremony during the 2010 Winter Paralympics]]
A medals ceremony is held after the conclusion of each Paralympic event. The winner, second and third-place competitors or teams stand on top of a three-tiered rostrum when they are awarded their respective medal by an IPC member. The national flags of the medalists are then raised while the [[national anthem]] of the gold medalist is played.<ref>[http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/victory-ceremony-podiums-at-2010-winter-games-a-testament--to-the-mountains-athletes-have-climbed-en-route-to-olympic-and-paralympic-success_264996fr.html Victory Ceremony podiums at 2010 Winter Games a testament to the mountains athletes have climbed en route to Olympic and Paralympic success], The Official website of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410053925/http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/victory-ceremony-podiums-at-2010-winter-games-a-testament--to-the-mountains-athletes-have-climbed-en-route-to-olympic-and-paralympic-success_264996fr.html |date=April 10, 2010 }}</ref> Volunteering citizens of the host country also act as hosts during the medal ceremonies, as they aid the officials who present the medals and act as flag-bearers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ceremony volunteers|publisher=Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games|url= http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/work-and-volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/ceremonies-volunteers/ |access-date=2010-05-04 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100527154709/http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/work-and-volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/ceremonies-volunteers/|archive-date=2010-05-27|url-status=live}}</ref> For every Paralympic event, the respective medal ceremony is held, at most, one day after the event's final.