Paris, France – The Paris 2024 Olympic Games commenced with a groundbreaking and unforgettable opening ceremony on Friday night, transforming the River Seine into a spectacular stage.
In a first for Olympic history, the opening ceremony moved outside the traditional stadium setting, embracing the heart of Paris with a vibrant celebration.
The sight of 85 boats carrying 6,800 athletes along the Seine towards the Eiffel Tower, culminating in the ascent of the Olympic flame into the sky on a cauldron attached to a hot air balloon, captivated the audience. The four-hour extravaganza, directed by artistic director Thomas Jolly, invited Parisians and global spectators alike to partake in this historic event.
“Some may say, we in the Olympic world, we are dreamers. But we are not the only ones,” said International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. “And our dream is coming true tonight: a reality for everyone to see. Olympians from all around the globe, showing us what greatness we humans are capable of. So I invite everybody: dream with us. Like the Olympic athletes, be inspired with the joy that only sport can give us. Let us celebrate this Olympic spirit of living life in peace, as the one and only humankind, united in all our diversity.”
The parade of nations
The parade began at Pont d’Austerlitz, with Lady Gaga setting the tone with a lively performance of “Mon truc en plume.” Athletes from 205 National Olympic Committees journeyed west along the Seine, passing iconic landmarks such as the Esplanade des Invalides, the Place de la Concorde, Notre-Dame, and the Grand Palais, before arriving at the Trocadero opposite the Eiffel Tower. This unique parade featured athletes from different nations celebrating together, embodying the spirit of unity and camaraderie.
“Dear athletes, we can’t wait to live it all with you. The joy, the tears, and the love you will put in each moment. Thank you for being here. You made it! Bravo! I know what it means. I know what it took. I know the path you have followed to be here. Paris will give back to you. It’s the City of Love… and for the next 16 days, it is your city,” said Tony Estanguet, triple Olympic champion and President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee. “Welcome home. Welcome to Paris. Welcome to your moment in history. Live it. Love it and carry us with you! The world is on your side.”
As the athletes traveled along the river, they were treated to a journey through French history and culture, split into 12 artistic tableaux featuring 2,000 artists. Highlights included an operatic scene from Les Miserables, a firing of cannons by the Conciergerie, and a celebration of Parisian lovers. The Seine transformed into an art museum with portrait masterpieces from the Louvre Museum rising from the water.
A poignant moment came when mezzo-soprano Axelle Saint-Cirel performed the French national anthem, “La Marseillaise,” from the rooftop of the Grand Palais, draped in a Dior-made dress resembling the French flag. This was complemented by statues of historical female figures rising next to the National Assembly, symbolizing the full gender parity on the field of play for the first time in Olympic history.
Embracing Parisians and the world
The ceremony continued with a fashion show and more athlete boats arriving amid enthusiastic spectators. Unlike the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which were restricted by Covid measures, Paris 2024 welcomed approximately 320,000 spectators along the Seine quays, in addition to millions watching worldwide. The loudest cheer was reserved for the French boat, symbolizing national pride and excitement.
“I hope that it’s going to give the French team a great boost from the start and that we’re going to bring back lots of medals and, above all, most of the athletes are going to be marked, are going to have memories for life,” said French flagbearer, seven-time Olympian Melina Robert-Michon.
The Olympic flame’s journey to its final destination at Jardin des Tuileries began with French football legend Zinedine Zidane taking it on a trip through the French metro. The flame was passed to Spanish tennis ace Rafael Nadal, who, along with other sports legends including Serena Williams and Carl Lewis, carried it by boat to the Louvre. From there, French sporting heroes Teddy Riner and Marie-José Pérec brought it to the cauldron, a hot air balloon, which ascended into the sky as Edith Piaf’s “L’hymne à l’amour” played, performed live by Celine Dion.
The spectacle culminated with Dion, ethereal in a glittering white dress, saluting Paris and the Olympic Games from the Eiffel Tower balcony, as the Olympic flame soared into the night sky, marking the official start of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
