Opening Ceremony Lights Up Paris with Unprecedented Spectacle

The 2024 Olympics in Paris kicked off in breathtaking fashion, with a unique ceremony featuring thousands of athletes sailing along the River Seine, passing vibrant performers on bridges, banks, and rooftops. This innovative approach marked the first time the ‘greatest show on earth’ has opened on a waterway instead of in a stadium.

The nearly four-hour extravaganza reached its peak as French judo legend Teddy Riner and sprinter Marie-Jose Perec ignited a cauldron shaped like a hot air balloon, which soared high into the Parisian sky. Red, white, and blue fireworks illuminated the Tricolore above Austerlitz Bridge, as 6,800 athletes from 205 delegations traveled on 85 boats and barges, passing some of Paris’ most iconic landmarks.

The ceremony featured surprise performances, including a dazzling cabaret number by American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga and an emotional return by Canadian icon Celine Dion. Despite the rain forcing athletes to don ponchos and umbrellas, the vibrant journey through French history, art, and sport unfolded seamlessly, thanks to the efforts of around 2,000 musicians, dancers, and artists.

The final two boats to parade included the United States, as the next hosts for Los Angeles 2028, and France, each carrying the largest number of athletes. Other barges hosted multiple delegations, showcasing a spirit of unity and camaraderie.

Representing Great Britain, rower Helen Glover and diver Tom Daley proudly served as flagbearers in Paris, which is hosting the Summer Games for the third time and for the first time in a century. Over 10,500 athletes will compete across 32 sports, with the Games scheduled to conclude on August 11.