Thousands of Olympic athletes paraded down the Seine River during the spectacular opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games, which took place in the early hours of July 27 (Vietnam time). The ceremony celebrated the history and culture of the host nation, France, in front of a cheering crowd, despite persistent rain.
For the first time in Olympic history, the opening ceremony was held outside the main stadium, with 7,000 athletes parading along the Seine River, passing by the historic landmarks of the French capital. In a bold and ambitious departure from traditional ceremonies, the athletes traveled in a fleet of 85 boats instead of walking along a stadium track.
Around 300,000 spectators watched live from specially constructed stands along the riverbank, while another 200,000 people observed from balconies and apartments overlooking the scene. The parade concluded near the Eiffel Tower, where French President Emmanuel Macron officially declared the games open.
Following tradition, the Greek delegation led the parade as the birthplace of the modern Olympic movement. The ceremony incorporated French culture and history, including a pre-recorded cabaret-style segment featuring American pop star Lady Gaga, which highlighted the early part of the parade.
French-Malaysian R&B superstar Aya Nakamura, the most-listened-to French-speaking artist worldwide, also performed. In another striking moment, dozens of dancers in pink dresses created a stunning visual display along the Seine River’s banks.
The landmarks and architecture of Paris served as a backdrop for the opening ceremony and will play a similar role for many of the sports competitions that follow.
France’s vision for the Olympics emphasizes cost-efficiency and environmental sustainability, with events taking place at historic sites around the capital.
Despite heavy rainfall and a wave of disruptive attacks that crippled France’s high-speed rail network early on July 26, 2024, the head of the organizing committee, Tony Estanguet, expressed confidence in hosting “a great party” just before the ceremony began.
A significant security operation was in place for the event, with a security perimeter established along both banks of the Seine River. The ceremony was protected by 45,000 police and paramilitary officers, along with 10,000 soldiers and 22,000 private security guards. Police snipers were positioned at observation points along the river, overseen by hundreds of buildings.
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