Paris Olympics 2024: A first-of-its-kind opening ceremony

Star-studded Olympic opening ceremony (X: iocmedia)

The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris promise a spectacular opening ceremony, brimming with athletic talent, cultural performances, and a groundbreaking twist. Mark your calendars for Friday, 26th July 2024, as Paris aims to deliver an opening ceremony unlike any other in Olympic history.

Ceremony on the River 

For the first time, the Summer Olympics ditches the traditional stadium setting. Paris 2024 is taking the Games to the heart of the city, with the Seine River serving as the stage. Athletes will glide down the river in specially equipped boats, allowing viewers at home and online to enjoy close-up views. This 6-kilometre parade will wind its way through central Paris, starting in the east and ending at the Trocadéro, where the official Olympic protocols and concluding performances will take place.

Performances at ceremony

Over 3,000 artists are expected to participate in the Paris Olympics 2024 opening and closing ceremonies, with details kept under wraps. The ceremonies will utilise various city landscapes instead of a stadium. Dance choreography head Maud Le Pladec hinted, "There won’t be a single bridge in Paris without some dancers on it.” The Paris 2024 Organising Committee has appointed renowned theatre actor and director Thomas Jolly to orchestrate the events.

Time of Opening Ceremony

The ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Paris (11:00 pm IST) on July 26.

Free Tickets Up for Grabs!

By opting for the Seine, organisers have opened up the ceremony to a much larger audience than any stadium could accommodate. Over 326,000 tickets are available for public viewing. This includes 222,000 free tickets to watch the boat parade from specially constructed stands along the riverbanks. The remaining tickets, priced between £90 and £2,700, offer access to the lower quays for a closer view. Additionally, eight giant screens will be set up across the city, encouraging large public gatherings.

Challenges and Back-up Plans

The open nature of the ceremony presents security concerns for athletes and dignitaries, especially considering recent extremist attacks in Europe. The Seine itself poses logistical hurdles, as evidenced by the cancellation of a June rehearsal due to strong currents. But fear not, there's a plan B (and even a C)!

President Macron has assured the public that alternative arrangements are in place. One option involves holding the ceremony at Trocadéro Square, facing the Eiffel Tower, with the Pont d'Iéna bridge serving as the new arrival point for the boat procession. The other option is a full shift to the Stade de France, the country's largest stadium, which will also host the track and field events. Rest assured, the organisers are prepared to adapt should last-minute changes become necessary.