An opening ceremony unlike any other got the 2024 edition of the Olympic Games officially underway in Paris Friday night. It was a show that will live on in Olympic legend.
Here are five takeaways from the opening ceremony:
Paris shows off: The opportunity to put the City of Light, its culture and people on full display was well-taken Friday. The riverboats floating on the River Seine allowed for incredible Parisian scenes, as they passed storied landmarks on their journey to the end of the Parade of Nations at the Trocadero, with an Olympic-rings-adorned Eiffel Tower serving as the backdrop. The famous landmark was lit up in all its glory, a veritable beacon on what could have been a dreary night.
It was a strong preview of what the rest of the Games will look like as the Games use some of the city’s most iconic landmarks as backgrounds for competition.
Rain tries to steal the show: Paris’ gray skies opened up about 30 minutes into a three-and-a-half-hour show.
Hundreds of thousands of spectators lined the banks of the River Seine clad in ponchos and rain jackets, and a canopy of umbrellas sprouted up at the first hint of raindrops. But after about an hour of rain coming down in earnest, some exposed onlookers ran for the comfort of hospitality tents and other nearby covered areas. Cameras caught the occasional thinning of the crowd along the riverside.
But the Olympic spirit did not wilt in the rain. Athletes looked beyond excited to wave to the crowds, and France truly seemed to embrace the Games.
Celine Dion returns: After a stunning light show on the Eiffel Tower, one of the most iconic singers of the last several decades made her return to performing after four years. Celine Dion has has been battling stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological condition.
Her performance of “L’Hymne à l’amour” closed the ceremony in stunning fashion. Clad in magnificent white, Dion’s performance drew goosebumps as she rolled back the years and her incredible voice echoed along the Seine.
A Paris party on a Friday night: A long dance break in the middle of the show encapsulated the vibe that much of the show took on: It was party time in the French capital.
Plenty of techno and Europop music accompanied colorful dancers wearing all sorts of rave outfits – including one singer fully painted blue singing on a bed of flowers.
The opening ceremony included performances from the heavy metal band Gojira, French mezzo-soprano opera singer Axelle Saint-Cirel, and Lady Gaga, who sang a fresh take on the song “Mon truc en plumes,” originally by iconic French artist Zizi Jeanmaire.
A magnificent torch lighting: Carried by scores of French athletes and other famous Olympians of now and yesteryear – including Zinedine Zidane, Rafael Nadal (who carried the torch on a boat down the Seine), Serena Williams (who rode next to Nadal), Carl Lewis and Tony Parker, the torch was lit by judo star Teddy Riner and 400-meter sprinter Marie-José Pérec.
And when the Olympic flame burst into its cauldron, which was attached to a giant balloon, it began to float.
David Turner is a globe-trotting journalist who brings a global perspective to our readers. With a commitment to shedding light on international events, he explores complex geopolitical issues, offering a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
