Paris kicks off summer Olympic Games 2024

PARIS,— Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century with a rain-soaked and unconventional opening ceremony, marking a dramatic start to the highly anticipated event.

Travel chaos, triggered by what French officials described as coordinated arson attacks on high-speed rail lines, compounded with heavy rain in Paris, initially dampened the atmosphere ahead of the ceremony on Friday evening.

Despite these challenges, the spectacular show quickly revived spirits as audiences worldwide tuned in.

The opening ceremony, held along the River Seine, saw crowds packed along the banks and balconies, marveling at the sight of Olympic teams parading in boats along the waterway.

The climax of the event featured a hot-air balloon carrying an Olympic ring of fire into the rainy sky, accompanied by Celine Dion’s powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower, marking Paris’s grand return to hosting the Summer Olympics after a century.

French President Emmanuel Macron officially declared the Olympic Games open amidst cheers from the soaked crowd along the Seine.

The ceremony showcased dancers performing on Parisian rooftops and Lady Gaga singing a classic French cabaret song.

Marie-Jose Perec and Teddy Riner, both three-time Olympic gold medalists from France, ignited the Olympic cauldron, suspended on a hot-air balloon.

Celine Dion, making her first public performance in years, sang Edith Piaf’s “Hymn to Love,” receiving an overwhelming response from the audience.

The Olympic Flame floats up in a balloon after being lit in Paris, France, at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics on Friday, July 26, 2024. Photo: AP

The 30-meter high balloon, adorned with a 7-meter diameter ring of fire, hovered above the ground and is scheduled to be airborne from sunset until 2 a.m. local time every day throughout the Games, according to the organizers.

“We are immensely proud of this show. It was a unique blend of sport and culture, celebrated in a fantastic manner despite the rain,” said Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024, to reporters.

Athletes were transported on a fleet of barges along a 6 km stretch of the river, passing some of Paris’s most iconic landmarks. Performers reenacted various sports to be featured in the Games on floating platforms, adding a dynamic element to the event.

This marked the first time an opening ceremony was held outside a stadium, presenting significant challenges for the vast security operation, especially following the sabotage attack on the TGV rail network, which caused widespread travel disruptions across France.

“Dream with us, embrace the joy that only sport can bring,” urged International Olympics Committee President Thomas Bach as the ceremony concluded at the Eiffel Tower. “Let us celebrate this Olympic spirit of living in peace.”

Over 10,500 athletes are set to compete in these Olympics, a hundred years after Paris last hosted the Games. The competition began on Wednesday, with the first of the 329 gold medals to be awarded on Saturday.

The ceremony commenced with a spectacular display, including a giant plume of smoke in blue, white, and red, resembling the French flag, over a bridge on the Seine.

The show featured postcard-like depictions of France, including a massive cancan line performed by Moulin Rouge dancers on the riverbanks.

A modern touch was added with a performance by French-Malian pop star Aya Nakamura, the most-listened-to French female singer globally.

Accompanied by the French Republican Guard’s army choir, Nakamura’s hits drew some of the loudest cheers of the evening.

Her participation sparked a debate over French identity, with supporters praising her as a representation of contemporary France’s vibrancy, while critics argued her music had more foreign influences than traditional French sounds.

Despite the celebration, many of the 300,000 spectators left early due to the rain. “It was good apart from the rain. It was unique and interesting to be on the river instead of a stadium,” remarked Avid Pureval, 34, visiting from Ohio.

Josephine, a Parisian attending with her 9-year-old daughter, expressed a similar sentiment. “It would have been better with sun,” she said, having paid 1,600 euros for her seat.

Security was a top priority, with snipers stationed on rooftops, bomb sweeps of the Seine’s riverbed, and a closure of Paris’ airspace.

Approximately 45,000 police officers and thousands of soldiers were deployed, patrolling the river in inflatable boats as the procession made its way along the Seine.

The ceremony featured a mix of French and international stars, including soccer legend Zinedine Zidane, 14-time French Open champion Rafa Nadal, and 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, along with three Paralympic athletes, as some of the final torchbearers before the cauldron was lit.

The flame will burn until the closing ceremony on August 11.

Applause erupted as the Greek boat led the parade, followed by even louder cheers for the refugees’ team. The French, U.S., and Ukrainian delegations also received enthusiastic receptions. The ceremony also included a live crossover to a welcome event at the surfing venue in Tahiti, 16,000 km away.

Amid heightened security concerns, officials have assured that there is no specific threat to the Games. However, the tense international backdrop, with ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, added a layer of caution.

Israeli competitors, due to the war in Gaza, are being escorted by elite tactical units and provided 24-hour protection.

(With files from Reuters and AP)