The 2024 Paris Olympics officially began on Friday with an extravagant opening ceremony underway on the River Seine, marking the start of the summer Games. The event featured a pre-recorded video of French soccer legend Zinedine Zidane running across Paris with the Olympic flame, even taking it onto the metro.
The ceremony unfolded amidst heightened security, just hours after a sabotage attack on the high-speed TGV rail network caused significant travel disruptions across France, highlighting the security challenges faced during the event.
With over 10,000 athletes from 206 countries participating, the scale of the event has put a significant focus on ensuring the safety of all attendees.
Each country’s delegation paraded past on a variety of boats, reflecting their team sizes, ranging from large barges to smaller speedboats.
The French state-owned railway operator SNCF announced that train services affected by the arson attacks would see improvements starting Saturday. Full service on the Eastern High-Speed line was expected to resume at 6:00 a.m. (0400 GMT), while the Northern High-Speed line would operate at 80% capacity with delays up to two hours. Services to Brittany and the Southeast would also experience delays.
SNCF deployed approximately 1,000 maintenance workers and utilised 50 drones and 40 railway police teams to monitor the network. A massive police presence was also visible throughout Paris to ensure the security of the event.
Argentine volleyball player Luciano De Cecco, who carried his country’s flag, expressed his pride and the emotional significance for his family, who have a strong sports background. He highlighted the unique honor of participating in what he announced as his final Olympics.
The Olympic Torch was carried by a runner who lit pyrotechnics, illuminating the Pont des Arts and the steps of the Institut Francais. French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura performed her hits, including “Djadja,” accompanied by dancers and a French military band. Her participation sparked debates about French identity and language, with supporters praising her representation of modern France and critics arguing her music’s foreign influences.
Fans, dressed in stars, stripes, and Eiffel Tower hats, defied rain showers along the Seine to celebrate the opening. Enthusiastic spectators like 17-year-old Elise Boukorrass and 20-year-old architecture student Flavia Merluzzi expressed their excitement and dedication to witnessing the historic event.
Adding to the star-studded lineup, Lady Gaga performed, sharing her deep connection with French culture and gratitude for the opportunity to sing a special French song in honor of the country’s rich artistic history.
