The 2024 Paris Olympics officially opened on Saturday (27/7) early morning WIB. The athlete parade or contingent defile along the Seine River past historical monuments in the French capital.
Clad in elegant uniforms designed by Didit Hediprasetyo, 14 athletes and team officials were on board the ship with India and Iran.
The clothes designed inspired by the painter Raden Saleh were worn by 14 athletes and officials including Chef de Mission (CdM) Anindya Bakrie. Judo athlete Maryam March Maharani served as the flag bearer for the Red and White flag, accompanied by cyclist Bernard Van Aert and two swimmers, Azzahra Permatahani and Joe Aditya.
The clothes feature traditional Javanese clothing with a touch of novelty. Didit Hediprasetyo’s creations are inspired by the spirit of respect for Indonesian cultural heritage and the spirit of unity and nationalism. The figure of Raden Saleh as a pioneer of Javanese romanticism painters became the basic inspiration for the collection.
The opening ceremony was the first in Olympic history to be held outside the main stadium with athletes parading down the River Seine on a flotilla of 85 boats, passing iconic French landmarks.
The spectators, numbering around 300,000, watched live from specially built stands on the riverbank, while another 200,000 watched from balconies and apartments overlooking the river. They stayed in place with umbrellas and raincoats to watch the Olympic parade.
Read also: Paris 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony: Boat Parade on the Seine River
Traditionally, the Greek delegation was given the honor of leading the flotilla in honor of the birthplace of the modern Olympic movement. Despite heavy rain, the athletes remained in high spirits as they continued to participate in the opening ceremony, wearing clear raincoats over their parade outfits.
The show blends French culture and history, with a pre-recorded cabaret-style segment from US pop star Lady Gaga featuring prominently in the early stages of the parade.
Dozens of can-can dancers in pink skirts provided a splash of color on the banks of the Seine in another standout moment. The landmarks and architecture of the City of Light provided the backdrop for both Friday night’s performances and much of the sporting action that followed.
Also read: Opening of the Paris Olympics Guarded by 77 thousand Peace Officers
Golden statues of historic French women emerged from the waters of the River Seine during the Olympic opening ceremony, in a spectacular tribute to the gender equality that is at the heart of the Paris Games.
Figures such as writer Simone de Beauvoir and politician Simone Veil are immortalised in gilded statues and will remain in Paris after the Olympics.
Paris’ vision is to host a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly Games than previous editions, with competitions held at historic sites around the capital. (Ant/P-5)
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