Paris, July 27: Paris has a history of unforgettable moments, and the 2024 Olympic Games added another chapter to that storied legacy. On Friday night, the City of Lights transformed into a vast sports arena, with 85 boats carrying 6,800 athletes along the Seine towards the iconic Eiffel Tower, culminating in the Olympic flame’s ascent on a cauldron attached to a hot air balloon.
The River Seine served as the track, the quays became spectator stands, and Paris’s historic landmarks stood as silent witnesses to the vibrant, rain-drenched celebration. For the first time in Olympic history, the opening ceremony took place outside a traditional stadium, inviting everyone to join the four-hour spectacle masterminded by artistic director Thomas Jolly.
Athletes braved the rain on boat decks, spectators packed the quays and bridges, ballet dancers pirouetted on rooftops, and Parisians cheered from their balconies as delegations from 205 National Olympic Committees paraded through the city. The procession wound its way to the Trocadero, where French President Emmanuel Macron officially declared the games open.
“Some may say, we in the Olympic world, we are dreamers. But we are not the only ones,” said International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. “And our dream is coming true tonight: a reality for everyone to see. Olympians from all around the globe, showing us what greatness we humans are capable of. So I invite everybody: dream with us. Like the Olympic athletes, be inspired with the joy that only sport can give us. Let us celebrate this Olympic spirit of living life in peace, as the one and only humankind, united in all our diversity.”
The dazzling display of flags, feathers, and unity showcased the Olympic spirit in a way Paris will never forget.
