Paris 2024 Olympics declared open after historic opening ceremony

Paris: After a spectacular and unprecedented opening ceremony on the Seine, the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympic Games were declared open in the French capital on Friday.

For the first time in the history of the Summer Games, the Olympic Opening Ceremony took place outside the stadium.

The spectacular opening ceremony broke with convention by taking place outside the stadium. The athletes were welcomed aboard boats sailing on the Seine, offering a unique spectacle along a six-kilometre route.

The Indian team was led by two-time medallist PV Sindhu and five-time Olympian Sharath Kamal. This is the first time in the history of the summer event that participants have crossed a river to compete in the Olympics.
Iconic French midfielder Zinedine Zidane appeared in a pre-recorded video carrying the Olympic flame to kick off the opening ceremony. From the Stade de France, he sprinted and carried the flame.
However, he got stuck in the subway and delivered it to the children. The children went through catacombs and arrived at the Seine, after which the broadcast was switched to the real-time view of the Seine.
Before the Parade of Nations, the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, were presented at the Trocadéro.

The National Olympic Committees paraded in French alphabetical order, with a few exceptions. Australia and the United States came in last, just before host country France.

The first 18 delegations were presented at the Parade of Nations from the Pont d’Austerlitz. The parade was led by the founding nation of the modern Olympic Games, Greece, dressed in its national dress.
Greece has chosen NBA star Giannis Antetekounmpo as its male flag bearer, alongside Antigoni Ntrismpioti, a walker.

Sailing down the Seine, Greece was followed by the 37-strong Refugee Olympic Team, their third appearance at the Olympic Games since they were created for Rio 2016.

Afghanistan arrived on the third day, sailing down the picturesque Seine, followed by South Africa, Albania and Germany. Thomas Bach, who was present, stood up to cheer on his native Germany.

During the Parade of Nations, the mystery man was seen carrying the Olympic flame through Paris’ famous landmarks. He sprinted through the city and arrived at the famous Louvre museum, which houses famous works of art such as the Mona Lisa.

The parade resumed after Lady Gaga’s mesmerizing performance and China, one of the most successful nations in Olympic history, arrived. Chinese table tennis great Ma Long and synchronized swimmer Feng Yu were chosen as flag bearers.

After an enthusiastic performance by French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura accompanied by musicians from the French army, the parade resumed.

A plane was blowing smoke from its tail and forming a pink heart above Paris, often considered the city of love.

Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Cocos Islands arrived on their respective boats on the Seine.

As rain began to fall in Paris, Egypt arrived at the opening ceremony. The wait for Indian fans finally ended when flag bearers Sharath Kamal and PV Sindhu, dressed in specially designed traditional outfits, were spotted on the Seine River, leading the group of 78 athletes and officials.

As the Indian boat passed, chants of “ITALIA” began to echo across the Seine, announcing Italy’s arrival in the Parade of Nations.
The opening ceremony was covered by the Minions who participated in the event in a special video.

The various contingents continued their journey on the Seine. A spectacular bicycle stunt was performed, which thrilled the entire audience.

The artists continued to perform and temporarily interrupted the parade of nations. After the restart, Myanmar and Namibia arrived on their special boats, followed by Nicaragua.

Pakistan arrived at the Parade of Nations led by its javelin ace Arshad Nadeem, the country’s flag bearer. The Pakistani boat carried a total of seven athletes, including three women and four men.

After witnessing the presence of one of the best javelin throwers, Serbia embarks on the Seine without the presence of the record champion of 24 Grand Slam titles, Novak Djokovic.

United States flag bearers, tennis sensation Coco Gauff and basketball icon LeBron James, have arrived at the Parade of Nations.

The host country, France, with a contingent of 573 members, arrived at the Seine in the largest boat.

Team Palestine was also present at the Parade of Nations with a strong message: “From our ashes, we always rise.”

French singer Juliette Armanet dazzled the crowd with her soulful rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine.

At the end of the route, the Olympic flag was raised in front of the Eiffel Tower. The flags of all the delegations carried by volunteers paraded between the Trocadéro and the Eiffel Tower.

At the closing of the opening ceremony, the Olympic Laurels award was presented to Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Three-time Olympic champion Tony Estanguet, president of Paris 2024, addressed the athletes and said: “For the next 16 days, you will be the best version of humanity. You will remind us that the emotions of sport form a universal language that we all share. Until August 11, we will be by your side. Your defeats will be our defeats. Your victories will be our victories. Your emotions will be our emotions.”

IOC President Thomas Bach, also an Olympic champion, took to the stage and said: “What better place than Paris to share the magic of these Olympic Games with the world?” he asked.
“Paris, the birthplace of our founder, Pierre de Coubertin, to whom we owe everything. Paris, the City of Light, where he created the modern Olympic Games. Paris, the City of Love,” he added.

During his speech, President Bach also recalled the words of Imagine.

President Macron then appeared on stage and announced in French: “I declare open the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad.”

France’s flag bearers, Florent Manaudou and Mélina Robert-Michon, represented the athletes during the taking of the Olympic oath.
Zidane was then called on stage and took the Olympic flame from the mystery man. He passed the torch to Spanish tennis icon Rafael Nadal, known for his prowess at Roland Garros.

The rings of the Eiffel Tower were lit one by one. The torch was then taken on the Seine by boat with Nadal, Serena Williams, Carl Lewis and Nadia Comaneci. When the boat arrived at the dock, the torch was picked up by retired French tennis player Amélie Mauresmo.

Mauresmo then passed the torch to Tony Parker, a French basketball legend and former NBA star. The two jogged in front of the Louvre and its pyramid.

Eventually, the group of torchbearers grew to 18 people, including several Olympic and Paralympic athletes. They passed the torch to Teddy Riner and Marie-José Perec, who lit the cauldron.

A 30-meter-high hot air balloon was attached to it. The balloon lifted the cauldron high into the Parisian sky. Singer Celine Dion sang at the end of the ceremony.