For the first time in Olympic history, the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will take place outside of a stadium. Following a similar format as the youth games in Buenos Aires in 2018, the ceremony will feature a stunning procession along the River Seine, showcasing the iconic landmarks of Paris to the world.
The innovative execution of this ceremony is led by Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee and a two-time Olympic champion, along with artistic director Thomas Joly. Expect the ceremony to last approximately three hours and 45 minutes, with over 3,000 artists performing to highlight France’s rich history through 12 themed ensembles set along the river and other selected locations throughout the city.
Among the notable personalities confirmed to participate is the Spanish singer Rosalía, who will act as a host, alongside renowned figures such as Hollywood actress Charlize Theron, tennis legend Serena Williams, and local star Omar Sy. The event will also feature celebrated artists like Marc Cerrone and Aya Nakamura, with the world-famous Cirque du Soleil contributing to the opening festivities. The choreography will be directed by Maud Le Pladec, overseeing 400 dancers, while television presenter Daphne Burki will lead the costume design team.
Joly and Le Pladec have stated that the event will encompass a wide array of cultural elements from France, integrating everything from opera to rap, promising a remarkable visual spectacle.
The six-kilometer route along which the athletes will travel, led by their respective flag bearers, will kick off at the Austerlitz Bridge and move westward along the Seine. Athletes will pass landmarks such as Notre-Dame and the Louvre, before concluding the procession at the Trocadero Plaza in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Athletes representing 206 countries will parade in approximately 100 floats. In addition to these floats, security vessels will patrol the area to ensure safety. For instance, NBA star LeBron James is set to lead the U.S. delegation alongside tennis player Coco Gauff.
Expectations for the audience are high, with around 600,000 spectators anticipated to attend the event for free. There will be 222,000 tickets available for upper riverbank viewing and over 100,000 tickets for lower jetties. Authorities have arranged for approximately 80 large screens throughout Paris for those unable to secure tickets, allowing even more people to partake in the festivities.
An astounding 1.5 billion viewers across the globe are expected to watch the ceremony through various broadcasting channels. The Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) has confirmed that viewers will witness unprecedented coverage, featuring 120 cameras—three times more than during the Tokyo 2020 Games—along with eight drones, three helicopters, and 200 mobile cameras equipped with smartphones stationed in boats. OBS will deploy four vessels, each with three robotic cameras.
As the opening ceremony approaches, a few mysteries remain, notably the identity of the final torchbearers and the individual who will ignite the Olympic flame—a moment that many are eagerly anticipating. It has been reported that famous American rapper Snoop Dogg will be one of the torchbearers, as he is currently in Paris serving as a representative for NBC.
Additionally, there’s growing speculation about whether Celine Dion might surprise attendees with a performance. The iconic Canadian singer, who paused her career due to health issues, has been spotted in Paris, increasing rumors of her potential appearance. She has been gradually returning to public life, with notable appearances at recent events, including the Grammy Awards, where she presented Taylor Swift with the Album of the Year award.
Dion has recently graced the cover of French Vogue and promoted her documentary “I Am: Celine Dion” on Prime Video, which provides insight into her struggles with a rare neurological disorder. If she does perform at the ceremony, the opening of the Paris 2024 Games will undoubtedly become a memorable event that transcends the sporting festivities of the year.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/deportes/2024/07/25/atletas-en-barcos-miles-de-artistas-y-la-incognita-sobre-una-actuacion-sorpresa-los-detalles-de-la-historica-apertura-de-paris-2024/
