Paris 2024 Olympics: Program and details for a “historic and unprecedented” opening ceremony

In a few hours, the historic and unprecedented opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics will begin on the Seine River. It is the first of its kind because it will be held outside the main athletics stadium, contrary to what is customary.

“Ambitious, historic, spectacular,” are some of the words used to describe the ceremony, according to the official Olympics website.olympics.com“

The traditional parade of athletes will take place in boats along the River Seine, passing the most famous Parisian landmarks.

Timing

The ceremony starts at 19:30 CEST (17:30 GMT) and is expected to last over three hours.

Why is this ceremony historic?

For the first time in the history of the Summer Olympic Games, Paris will witness the opening ceremony being held outside the stadium.

Instead of the familiar sight of athletes marching along the track inside the stadium, guests and spectators will enjoy a boat parade on the river through the heart of the French capital.

The Seine, the city’s main waterway, will replace the traditional track, the quays on the banks will become spectator platforms, and the setting sun will reflect on famous Parisian landmarks as a backdrop to the event.

With this unique outdoor event, the Paris Olympics will witness “the largest opening ceremony in terms of attendance and geographical area,” according to the same website.

What is the presentation path?

The parade route begins at the Pont de Austerlitz and the ships then sail west for 6 kilometres along the Seine, passing under historic bridges and famous landmarks, such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum.

The athletes, who have gathered on boats with their national teams, will eventually arrive opposite the Trocadero – the square opposite the Eiffel Tower – where the protocols will begin and the Olympic Games will be officially declared open.

How many athletes are participating?

Nearly 100 boats will carry some 10,500 athletes from around the world along the Seine during the parade. The largest of the 206 National Olympic Committees represented in the parade will have their own boats, while the smaller ones will share others.

100 years

Starting Friday and until August 11, Paris will return to host the Summer Olympics, 100 years after they were held in 1924, with an unprecedented opening ceremony amid exceptional security reinforcements, according to Agence France-Presse.

“Organising a party on the Seine is not easier than organising one in a stadium… but it is stronger,” Tony Estanguet, president of the organising committee, told AFP earlier this month.

The government decided to deploy tens of thousands of security forces and the army to ensure the security of the opening ceremony. Never before had such a large number been mobilized to participate in the ceremony.

Athletes compete in a variety of sports, including athletics, running, high jump, basketball, cycling, judo, swimming, tennis, gymnastics and many more.