The Paris 2024 Olympics officially kicked off on Wednesday and continued on Thursday, but all eyes will be on today’s grand opening ceremony.
A record 206 countries have sent their top athletes to compete in these Games, which will run until August 11. The world’s finest competitors are ready to make history and chase Olympic glory this summer.
However, Friday’s schedule is dedicated solely to the opening ceremony, a historic and eagerly anticipated event that will pause the sporting action. Here’s what you need to know about this extraordinary celebration.
A Historic First: The Ceremony on the Seine
For the first time in the history of the Summer Games, the opening ceremony will not be confined to a stadium. Instead, it will unfold on the picturesque River Seine. Athletes will parade on boats, creating a stunning visual journey along the river.
This groundbreaking ceremony is expected to captivate over a billion viewers worldwide.
The 6km river parade will be witnessed by nearly 600,000 spectators along the Seine, with around 100 boats carrying approximately 10,500 athletes.
Thomas Jolly, the artistic mastermind behind the event, shared his excitement: “France is a story that never stops being constructed, deconstructed, and reconstructed. It’s alive, it remains alive. This responsibility was ambitious, complex, but magnificent for an artist.”
What to Expect
French President Emmanuel Macron will officially open the Games, culminating in the lighting of the Olympic cauldron. While many details are kept under wraps to maintain an element of surprise, the ceremony promises to be a breathtaking blend of tradition and innovation.
Timing
The opening ceremony is set to begin at 7:30 PM GMT+2. Although an official end time hasn’t been confirmed, it is expected to last just under four hours.
Prepare to be dazzled as the Paris 2024 Olympics begins with a ceremony unlike any other, marking the start of a summer filled with incredible athletic achievements.
