Unique Parisian flair marks opening of 2024 Olympics

The 2024 Olympics opened in Paris in spectacular fashion as thousands of athletes sailed along the River Seine, passing lively performers on bridges, banks, and rooftops. This ambitious take on the opening ceremony swapped the usual stadium setting for a waterway, creating a near four-hour spectacle. The ceremony culminated with French judo great Teddy Riner and sprinter Marie-Jose Perec lighting a cauldron shaped like a hot air balloon that rose high into the Parisian sky.

Blue, white, and red fireworks raised the Tricolore above Austerlitz Bridge before 6,800 athletes from 205 delegations traveled on 85 boats and barges, passing some of the French capital’s most famous landmarks. The ceremony featured surprise performances, including a cabaret number from US singer-songwriter Lady Gaga and the emotional return of Canadian icon Celine Dion.

The day started with major disruption due to arson attacks on the French train network, and heavy rain in the evening altered the original plan by artistic director Thomas Jolly to use the Parisian sun to “make the water sparkle.” Despite the weather, the athletes added rain ponchos and umbrellas to their planned outfits and enjoyed a lively journey through French history, art, and sport, told by some 2,000 musicians, dancers, and other artists.

The last two boats to parade were from the US, as the next hosts for Los Angeles 2028, and France, with the largest numbers of athletes on board. Rower Helen Glover and diver Tom Daley were Great Britain’s flagbearers. Paris, hosting the summer Games for the third time and the first time in 100 years, opened the 33rd summer Olympics against a challenging international and domestic political backdrop. IOC president Thomas Bach told athletes they were part of an event that “unites the world in peace.”

More than 10,500 athletes will compete across 32 sports at the Games, which will close on August 11.