Channel 4 issues statement after 'disrespectful' Paralympics ceremony sparks fury

The 2024 Paralympics opening ceremony was a lavish affair but people watching it at home felt Channel 4's coverage fell short.

By: express.co.uk

Aug 29 2024
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Channel 4 issues statement after 'disrespectful' Paralympics ceremony sparks fury

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Channel 4 has come under fire over their Paralympics opening ceremony coverage after cutting away to adverts during the lavish affair. This meant several team entrances were not shown on the channel leading to accusations of "disrespect" and even "ableism".

Viewers were outraged at what they saw as a slight on those taking part in the 2024 games and took to X to vent.

@lydwray fumed: "@Channel4 adverts in The middle of the opening ceremony and missing half the countries is so disrespectful! Taking the piss. You could’ve managed one programme without!!#Paralympic2024 @C4Paralympics."

@Magentasploon opined: "Something about BBC not covering the Paralympics and Channel 4 putting ad breaks throughout pinnacle moments of the Paralympics opening ceremony reeks of ableism... #Paralympics #Channel4 #BBC #ableism."

@Wayne_Bebb raged: "This coverage of the Paralympics on @Channel4 is quite frankly disgraceful, it’s disrespectful beyond belief. The showing adverts every 5 mins shows disregard to the performers and athletes, it’s beyond belief!"

Team GB waving at the Paralympics opening ceremony

Channel 4 have been accused of (Image: Getty)

@DeiniolCarter queried: "Seriously @Channel4? What the f*** is with all these infuriating and disrespectful adverts during the

@Paralympics #Paralympics2024 opening ceremony especially when the athletes are parading? @C4Paralympics."

@keithpp commented: "Live coverage @Channel4 Para Olympics Paris a disgrace. Keeps cutting to commercial breaks. Now cut off a dance routine. If not prepared to give continuous coverage, Channel 4 should not have been given broadcast rights. @iocmedia #fail #Paralympics #Paralympic2024 #PARIS2024."

Meanwhile @emmylouscutt chimed in: "I know it's Channel 4 but is it really impossible to show the Paralympics opening ceremony without interruptions from adverts? I'm finding them intrusive and disrespectful. #Paralympics2024."

When contacted by Express.co.uk , a Channel 4 spokesman said: “The Paris 2024 Paralympic Opening Ceremony is a live event taking place over a long period of time. As much as we’d like to show every moment, we are a commercially funded public service broadcaster and advertising allows us to invest in events such as the Paralympics at no cost to our audiences. This year, we are broadcasting more than 1300 hours of live sport for free, across Channel 4, More4, Channel 4 Streaming and Channel 4 Sport’s YouTube.”

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Christine and The Queens performing at the Paralympics opening ceremony surrounded by disabled dancers

Christine and The Queens performed at the lavish and colourful Paralympics opening ceremony (Image: Getty)

The colourful and vibrant opening ceremony to kick off the eagerly awaited sporting event took place on Wednesday night (August 28) and saw around 4,400 athletes from 168 teams making their way along the Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde.

It is estimated 65,000 people attended the ceremony which featured planes from the Patrouille de France releasing blue, white and red smoke into the skies above Paris.

Before the Paralympians made their entrance Canadian musician Chilly Gonzales and French singer Christine and the Queens performed on the main stage.

Channel 4 retained UK broadcast rights for the Paris Paralympics after being praised for its coverage of the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games.

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Channel 4 issues statement after 'disrespectful' Paralympics ceremony sparks fury

Bupa launch ‘Health is...’ campaign ahead of the Paralympics

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