The 2024 Paris Olympics started with a spectacular and innovative opening ceremony along the Seine River. The opening ceremony was a grand and spectacular event that showcased the rich culture and history of France. Despite the rainy weather, the ceremony, they filled with joyous performances and memorable moments.
The ceremony began with a dramatic sequence featuring a mysterious hooded figure, inspired by characters from French culture like the Phantom of the Opera and Assassin’s Creed’s Ezio. This figure ran through the streets of Paris, eventually passing the Olympic torch to a group of children who made their way through the Catacombs to light the cauldron. Let’s find out!
Lighting the Cauldron
They lit the Olympic cauldron in a unique way – by a giant hot air balloon carrying a ring of fire. French judo champion Teddy Riner and three-time gold medalist sprinter Marie-José Pérec had the honour of carrying the torch to light the cauldron, which then floated up into the Paris night sky.
Surprise Performances
The ceremony featured surprise appearances by several music superstars. Canadian pop icon Céline Dion serenaded the crowd from the Eiffel Tower after the cauldron.
One of the highlights was the appearance of global superstar Lady Gaga, who delivered a surprise performance of the French song “Mon Truc en Plumes” along the banks of the Seine River.
Another musical standout was the powerful rendition of the French national anthem “La Marseillaise” by opera singer Axelle Saint-Cirel.
Symbolic Moments
There were several symbolic moments throughout the ceremony. A woman in silver armour rode a horse while carrying the Olympic flag, representing the “Olympic spirit and Sequana”. Then raising the Olympic flag upside down. The parade of nations on boats was floating down the Seine River, with athletes bundled up in rain ponchos due to the inclement weather.
Torch Relay
The Olympic torch relay involved a diverse group of French and international athletes. Retired stars like Carl Lewis, Nadia Comaneci, and Zinedine Zidane passed the torch to current Olympians like Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams, who lit the cauldron on a boat along the Seine.
Themes and Highlights
The ceremony highlighted themes of liberty, equality, and fraternity – France’s national motto. It also paid tribute to the history of French ballooning, with the unique cauldron design. Overall, the opening ceremony was a spectacular and innovative start to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
