The opening ceremony was bold, original and unique, included in the most memorable moments of Olympic history

Paris, July 27 (HS). The opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games was bold, original and unique. The Paris 2024 opening ceremony has joined the most memorable moments in Olympic history. Singer Lady Gaga and French football legend Zinedine Zidane were among the stars who attended the unique opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics on Friday. For the first time for the Olympic Games, the unprecedented opening ceremony is being held on the River Seine.

For the first time, the ceremony was held outside the stadium

For the first time in the history of the Olympic Summer Games, the opening ceremony did not take place in a stadium. Paris 2024 is breaking new ground by bringing the Games to the city and the same proved true for the opening ceremony.

A Grand Ceremony on the River Seine

Instead of the traditional march into the stadium, about 6,800 athletes paraded on more than 90 boats for 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) on the Seine River. The boats were equipped with cameras. Although 10,700 athletes are expected to participate in these Olympics, hundreds of soccer players are outside Paris, surfers are in Tahiti and many have yet to arrive for their events in the second week.

Despite the risk of rain dampening the excitement, around 300,000 people witnessed the ceremony in person from specially constructed stands along the riverbank, while another 200,000 watched from balconies and in front of apartments.

Big artists thrilled fans with their performances

Iconic performances by pop icon Lady Gaga, metal band Gojyou and Aya Nakamura enthralled fans on both banks of the Seine river during the floating parade at the Paris Olympics. Apart from this, many other colourful events including a fashion show were also organised.

PV Sindhu and Sharath Kamal led the Indian team

Two-time Olympic medallist shuttler PV Sindhu and five-time Olympian Sharath Kamal were India's flag-bearers at the marquee opening ceremony, leading a 117-athlete strong contingent for the Games. However, India began its Olympic campaign with the archery ranking round a day before the opening ceremony, where both the men's and women's teams qualified for the quarter-finals. The opening ceremony was still underway at the time of writing the news.