On Friday, July 26, the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 redefined tradition by breaking out of the stadium and captivating the heart of the city. For the first time in history, participating delegations paraded along the Seine, enchanting hundreds of thousands of spectators gathered along its picturesque banks. The spectacle was nothing short of magnificent, featuring dazzling performances by Lady Gaga, Aya Nakamura, and Céline Dion.
Artistic Director Thomas Jolly masterminded an immersive extravaganza that culminated in a breathtaking ‘team relay’ segment. Esteemed sports legends Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner ignited the Cauldron, which then ascended into the night sky, casting a brilliant glow over Paris. Thus, the Paris 2024 Games were ceremoniously declared open.
Team Greece begins the athletes’ parade.Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images
This Opening Ceremony was a milestone of firsts. Never before had the Olympic Games’ inauguration moved beyond a stadium, making it the most publicly accessible and inclusive ceremony in Olympic history.
Paris, with its iconic landmarks and the Seine, provided a stunning, 360-degree stage for Thomas Jolly’s visionary spectacle. Spectators on the quays, bridges, and even beneath the Seine were treated to an awe-inspiring display. The ceremony seamlessly interwove performances, the athletes’ parade, and official speeches, all led by a mysterious masked torchbearer guiding the world along the Seine on an extraordinary journey.
Before turning their focus to the pursuit of Olympic glory, 6,800 athletes enjoyed an Opening Ceremony filled with excitement, humor, and audacity. This historic night undoubtedly left them with memories to cherish forever.
Picture by Maja Hitij / Getty Images
Picture by Maja Hitij / Getty Images
LADY GAGA CHANNELS THE ESSENCE OF CABARET, MUSIC-HALL AND FRENCH REVUE
Lady Gaga embodied the spirit of cabaret, music hall, and French revue as she launched the artistic segment of the Opening Ceremony at Place Barye. Descending a majestic staircase reminiscent of the Grand Palais, she reinterpreted Zizi Jeanmaire’s classic “Mon truc en plume,” paying homage to the tradition of French music hall. Chosen for her multifaceted talent and love of Parisian culture, Lady Gaga’s performance underscored the enduring influence of French culture on the world, demonstrating how it continues to inspire and evolve across eras.
JAMEL DEBBOUZE CARRIES THE TORCH TO THE STADE DE FRANCE, ZINEDINE ZIDANE RETURNS IT TO THE SEINE
Jamel Debbouze, known for his humor, thought it was a prank when he found the Stade de France empty. Believing he was kicking off the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, he was surprised by his idol, Zinédine Zidane. The football legend, who had once set the stadium alight with his World Cup-winning goals, took the Torch from Debbouze and carried it out of the stadium to the banks of the Seine, igniting the ceremony with his legendary presence.
Shortly after, the coveted Olympic medals were unveiled by two of the most decorated athletes in history, Michael Phelps and Martin Fourcade. These legends, who spent their careers collecting gold, silver, and bronze, presented the medals, each set with a unique piece of the Eiffel Tower, adding a touch of Parisian magic to the evening.
Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images
Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images
THE (WATER) CURTAIN OPENS ON PARADING ATHLETES
As tradition dictates, the Greek delegation was the first to greet the public on the quays of the Seine as a water curtain theatrically opened to let their boat pass under the Austerlitz Bridge. Amidst a beautifully choreographed ballet of water shows, athletes boarded their boats for a 6km parade, stretching the length of 15 athletics tracks. A fresco on the bridge celebrated the reunion of the Olympic Games with Paris, displaying the Olympic motto, “Faster, higher, stronger, together,” and Paris’ own “Fluctuat Nec Mergitur.” The athletes, both spectators and stars, received a warm ovation from the public.
A REORCHESTRATED VERSION OF LA MARSEILLAISE FROM THE ROOF OF THE GRAND PALAIS
At the Grand Palais, the traditionally formal moment of La Marseillaise was transformed into a stunning spectacle. Opera singer Axelle Saint-Cirel, draped in a blue, white, and red dress with a 6-meter train, performed a powerful rendition of the French national anthem, newly arranged by Victor Le Masne, the Paris 2024 Ceremonies’ Music Director. French spectators gathered on the quays joined in a spine-tingling choir, while near the National Assembly, gilded statues of French heroines such as Olympe de Gouges and Simone de Beauvoir emerged from the Seine, paying tribute to all women.
Picture by 2024 IOC
Picture by 2024 IOC
CÉLINE DION’S EMOTIONAL COMEBACK FROM THE BALCONY OF THE EIFFEL TOWER
Céline Dion’s highly anticipated return to the stage was nothing short of grandiose. Appearing on the balcony of the Eiffel Tower, she concluded the exceptional evening with her rendition of “L’Hymne à l’amour,” paying tribute to Edith Piaf. The quays of the Seine and the Trocadero erupted in cheers, as her powerful performance celebrated the timeless classic, the extraordinary careers of two legendary singers, and the beauty of Paris and France. In this sublime finale, Dion created a moment suspended in time, marking an unforgettable conclusion to the opening ceremony. Now, it’s time for the athletes to take over. Let the Games begin!
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