The Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony is set to be a landmark event in the history of the Olympic Games. Described as ambitious, historic, and spectacular, the ceremony will break new ground by being the first to take place outside a traditional stadium setting. On 26 July, Paris will transform into a grand stage, with athletes parading along the Seine River, showcasing the city's iconic landmarks in a breathtaking display.
The highly anticipated Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony will take place on Friday, 26 July. The festivities will kick off at 19:30 CEST and are expected to captivate audiences for over three hours.
This ceremony will make history as the first Olympic Summer Games Opening Ceremony held outside a stadium. Instead of athletes marching along an athletics track, they will glide through the heart of Paris in a vibrant river parade. The Seine River will replace the traditional track, with the quays serving as spectator stands. The setting sun will reflect off famous Parisian landmarks, creating a stunning backdrop.
This innovative concept will make Paris 2024 the largest Opening Ceremony in terms of audience size and geographical coverage.
The parade along the Seine will take viewers on a visual journey through Parisian history and architecture. Starting at the Austerlitz Bridge near the Jardin des Plantes, the flotilla will travel west for six kilometers, passing historic bridges and landmarks such as Notre-Dame and the Louvre. The parade will also pass by several Games venues, including the Esplanade des Invalides and the Grand Palais.
The athletes will ultimately arrive opposite the Trocadero, across from the Eiffel Tower. Here, the official protocols will be carried out, the Olympic cauldron will be lit, and the Paris 2024 Games will be officially declared open.
Nearly 10,500 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will participate in the parade, spread across almost 100 boats. Larger NOCs will have their own boats, while smaller ones will share. Cameras on the decks will offer close-up views of the athletes and their emotions, providing an intimate connection between the athletes and the audience.
Magnifique! ??
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 15, 2024
The Olympic flame has arrived in Paris in style, with the iconic Eiffel Tower lit up by spectacular Bastille Day celebrations.#Olympics | @Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/Re6Swopej4
It goes beyond sport.
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 12, 2024
It's the Olympic Spirit.#MoreThanSport | #Paris2024 | #Olympics | @Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/f1x1hvT8rH
Thomas Jolly, a renowned French theatre director and actor, is the artistic director for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies. While many details are still under wraps, we can expect a grand show that blends the old and the new, highlighting France's diverse cultural identity.
Jolly has hinted at a mix of opera and rap, showcasing the country's contrasting cultures. Choreographer Maud Le Pladec will lead 400 dancers out of the total 3,000 artists participating in the ceremonies. These dancers will perform on every bridge along the parade route, adding a dynamic and visually stunning element to the event.
Daphne Burki, the costume director, is focusing on sustainability. Her team will incorporate vintage and upcycled pieces into the performers' costumes, blending them with new creations. This approach will highlight both creativity and environmental consciousness.
Paris 2024 aims to make the Opening Ceremony accessible to as many people as possible. Nearly 600,000 people will have the opportunity to watch the event in person. In line with the slogan "Games Wide Open," the ceremony's outdoor setting allows for a large audience.
There were 222,000 free tickets available for spectators on the upper banks of the Seine, alongside 104,000 paid tickets on the lower quays. This marks the first opening ceremony, during which most spectators will not pay an admission fee, adding another historic milestone to Paris 2024.
For those in Paris who could not secure tickets, the ceremony will be broadcast on 80 giant screens set up throughout the city. Additionally, an estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide will tune in to watch the event on television.
Indian sports fans, rejoice! The highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be broadcast live and exclusively in India on the Sports 18 network.
Here's how you can tune in:
Both Sports 18 and JioCinema are likely to offer commentary in various languages, including English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, catering to a wider audience. Sports 18 might provide additional features alongside the live broadcast, such as expert analysis, athlete profiles, and behind-the-scenes content. JioCinema's free streaming allows you to watch the Games on the go, perfect for busy schedules.
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