THOUSANDS of Olympic athletes paraded on boats on the River Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics on Friday (26/7) evening local time despite incessant heavy rain.
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.
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.
French-Malian R&B star Aya Nakamura also performed despite criticism from right-wing activists. Critics accused the 29-year-old, best known for her hit song “Djadja,” of “vulgarity” and disrespect for the French language in her lyrics.
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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.
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 locations around the capital.
Despite heavy rain and a wave of attacks that paralyzed France’s high-speed rail network on Friday morning, Olympic chief organizer Tony Estanguet said before the ceremony that he was confident of putting on a grand event. (Ant/P-5)
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