From stellar performances to showing off historical sites, France went all out in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
Sporadic rains did not stop the grand festivities of the opening ceremony of Paris 2024.
Wearing raincoats or holding umbrellas, thousands of athletes and spectators lined the streets of Paris to officially commence the 33rd Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The grand ceremony began with a plume of blue, white, and red smoke representing the French national flag as the Parade of Nations started from the Austerlitz Bridge beside the Jardin des Plantes.
Athletes aboard boats traveled westward along the Seine River, passing several Olympic venues, including La Concorde Urban Park, Invalides, and the Grand Palais.
Giant water jets erupted from the river as the Greek delegation — traditionally the first — led the way under the bridge and along the 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) route.
American singer Lady Gaga entertained the crowds with a performance at a makeshift yellow staircase reminiscent of old French subways.
The ceremony also featured a performance by Gojira, marking the first time a metal band played at an Olympic opening ceremony. Opera singer Marina Viotti also participated in the event.
Ending the parade of athletes were two of the biggest nations in the sporting world, the United States and hosts France.
Organizers included a specific segment dedicated to Paris fashion as well as French drag, with some of the biggest drag queens making a herstoric appearance at the Olympics.
The opening ceremony also made sure to honor 10 golden heroines of French history, namely Olympe de Gouges, Alice Milliat, Gisèle Halimi, Simone de Beauvoir, Paulette Nardal, Jeanne Barret, Louise Michel, Christine de Pizan, Alice Guy and Simone Veil.
Approximately 220,000 invited and security-screened spectators filled the upper tiers of the Seine's banks, while an additional 104,000 paying spectators watched from the lower riverside and around the Trocadéro plaza.
The parade concluded at the Iena Bridge, which connects the Eiffel Tower on the left bank of the Seine to the Trocadéro district on the right bank.
The Olympic flag was raised to the Olympic Anthem, performed by 60 choristers from the Radio France Choir and 90 musicians from the French National Orchestra.
As part of the lighting of the couldron, it was French football legend Zinedine Zidane, who first held the Olympic torch before passing it to Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal--who has made Roland Garros practically his home.
Being ushed in a boat, Nadal was joined by other sporting legends such as American tennis legend Serena Williams, 5-time Olympic gold medalist and Romanian gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci, and nine-time Olympic gold medalist and track and field legend Carl Lewis.
The four then passed the torch to French tennis legend Amélie Mauresmo, who later passed it to French basketball legend Tony Parker at the Tuileries Garden. France's Paralympic athletes were also celebrated as more French legends were highlighted during the torch relay.
Handing the final Olympic torch was Charles Coste, the oldest living French medalist, who gave it to French judo superstar Teddy Riner and French track and field sprinter Marie-José Pérec.
The remarkable journey of the Olympic torch came to end after Riner and Pérec lit the cauldron, mounted on a massive hot air balloon. It was in honor of the first hydrogen balloon flight by Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier.
Ending the ceremony was the Queen of Power Ballads, Celine Dion, who returned to the stage for the first time since her 2022 diagnosis with Stiff Person Syndrome.
Story Summary:
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The Olympic Games Paris 2024 kicked off with a grand opening ceremony featuring athletes parading along the Seine River, vibrant performances, and spectacular fireworks, despite sporadic rains.
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Highlights included performances by Lady Gaga and Gojira, a tribute to French historical heroines, and the Olympic torch relay involving sports legends like Zinedine Zidane, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams, culminating in the cauldron lighting by Teddy Riner and Marie-José Pérec.
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Approximately 220,000 spectators lined the Seine's banks, while 104,000 more watched from the lower riverside, celebrating the commencement of the Olympic Games with a blend of sport, culture, and historical homage.
[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital team. The summary was generated by AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]