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Paris, July 27 (HS). After a spectacular and first-of-its-kind opening ceremony on the Seine River, the much-awaited Paris Olympics 2024 were announced to begin in the French capital on Friday (local time). For the first time in the history of the Summer Olympic Games, the opening ceremony of the Olympics was held outside the stadium.
The spectacular opening ceremony was held outside the stadium, breaking from tradition, with the athletes greeted by boats on the River Seine putting on a unique show along the six-kilometre route.
The Indian team was led by two-time medallist PV Sindhu and five-time Olympian Sharath Kamal. This is the first time in the history of the summer event that participants were entering the Olympics via river.
Iconic French midfielder Zinedine Zidane made an appearance in a pre-recorded video carrying the Olympic torch to start the opening ceremony. From the Stade de France, he ran and picked up the torch. However, he got stuck in the metro and passed it to the children. The children passed through the cemetery and reached the Seine River, and after that, the broadcast was switched to a real-time view of the Seine.
Before the Parade of Nations, President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron and President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach were introduced at the Trocadero. The National Olympic Committees paraded in French alphabetical order, with a few exceptions. Australia and the United States came last in the parade.
Greece started the parade, and colourful programmes were also organised
The first 18 delegations marched from the Pont d'Austerlitz in the Parade of Nations. The parade was led by Greece, the founding nation of the modern Olympic Games, in its country-themed attire. Greece chose NBA star Giannis Antetkounmpo as its male flag bearer, with racewalker Antigoni Ntrisimpioti as the female flag bearer.
Sailing down the Seine River, Greece was followed by the Refugee Olympic Team, which comprised of 37 individuals. This is their third appearance at the Olympic Games since being formed for Rio 2016. Afghanistan arrived in third place, sailing down the picturesque Seine River, followed by South Africa, Albania and Germany.
Thomas Bach, who was in attendance, stood up to cheer for his home nation Germany. During the parade of nations, a mysterious man was seen carrying the Olympic torch past famous monuments in Paris. He ran all over the city and arrived at the famous Louvre Museum, which houses famous artworks such as the Mona Lisa.
The parade resumed after Lady Gaga's captivating performance and marked the arrival of China, one of the most successful countries in the history of the Olympic Games. China's table tennis great Ma Long and synchronized swimmer Feng Yu were chosen as flag bearers. After a captivating performance by French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura accompanied by French army musicians, the parade resumed.
An airplane blew smoke from its tail and formed a pink heart over Paris, often considered the city of love. Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Coco Islands arrived on their boats on the Seine River. Egypt arrived at the opening ceremony when it began to rain in Paris.
Sindhu and Sharath Kamal led the Indian team
The excitement of Indian fans finally ended when flag bearers Sharath Kamal and PV Sindhu, dressed in specially designed traditional attire, appeared on the Seine river along with a group of 78 athletes and officials.
As the Indian contingent's boat passed by, chants of 'Italia' reverberated across the Seine river, announcing the arrival of Italy in the Parade of Nations. The opening ceremony was commanded by the Minions, who joined the event in a special video. Various contingent members kept passing through the Seine river. An exciting cycling stunt was performed, which mesmerized the entire audience. The performers continued to perform and the Parade of Nations was halted for some time.
After the resumption, Myanmar and Namibia arrived on their special boats, and Nicaragua followed close behind them.
Pakistan joins the parade of nations under the leadership of Arshad Nadeem
Pakistan led its javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem as the country's flag bearer in the parade of nations. Pakistan's boat had a total of seven athletes, including three women and four men.
Host France, with a contingent of 573 members, arrived on the Seine River in the largest boat. Team Palestine was also present in the parade of nations, with the message, “From the ashes, we always rise.”
French singer Juliette Armanet mesmerized the crowd with her soulful rendition of John Lennon's Imagine. At the end of the parade, the Olympic flag was raised in front of the Eiffel Tower. Flags of all delegations, carried by volunteers, were paraded between the Trocadero and the Eiffel Tower.
United Nations High Commissioner Filippo Grandi was presented with the Olympic Laurel Award during the closing ceremony.
During the closing phase of the opening ceremony, the Olympic Laurel Award was presented to Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Three-time Olympic champion Tony Estanguet, president of Paris 2024, addressed the athletes, saying, “For the next 16 days, you will be the best version of humanity. You will remind us that the emotions of sport form a universal language that we all share. Until August 11, we will be with you. Your defeats will be our defeats. Your victories will be our victories. Your emotions will be our emotions.”
IOC President Thomas Bach, who is also an Olympic champion, appeared on stage and said, “What better place than Paris to share the magic of these Olympic Games with the whole world? Paris, the birthplace of our founder Pierre de Coubertin, to whom we owe everything. Paris, the city of light, where he created the modern Olympic Games. During his speech, Bach also recalled the lyrics of Imagine.
Paris Olympics officially announced
President Macron then came to the stage and announced in French, “I declare the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad open.”
France's flag bearers, Florent Manaudou and Mélina Robert-Michon, represented the athletes in taking the Olympic oath. Afterwards, Zidane was called to the stage and he took the Olympic flame from the mystery man. He handed the torch to Spain's icon tennis star Rafael Nadal, who is known for his prowess at Roland-Garros.
The Olympic torch passed through the hands of giants
One by one, the rings on the Eiffel Tower were lit. The torch was then carried down the Seine River in a boat with Nadal, Serena Williams, Carl Lewis and Nadia Comaneci. When the boat arrived at the pier, the torch was picked up by retired French tennis player Amelie Mauresmo.
Mauresmo handed it over to French basketball legend and former NBA star Tony Parker. The two of them jogged past the Louvre and its pyramid. Eventually, the full group of torchbearers grew to 18 people and included various Olympians and Paralympians. They handed the torch to Teddy Riner and Marie-Jose Perec, who lit the cauldron.
A hot air balloon was also installed in it, which was 30 meters high. The balloon lifted this cauldron high into the sky of Paris. Singer Celine Dion performed at the end of the ceremony.