Paris Olympics start after grand opening ceremony

On Friday 26 July, the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 broke out of the stadium to take over the heart of the city for the first time in history. Participating delegations paraded along the Seine in front of hundreds of thousands of people gathered along the banks. Athletes, spectators and TV viewers were treated to a grandiose show, lit up by the performances of Lady Gaga, Aya Nakamura and Céline Dion. At the end of what was of an immersive spectacle conceived by Artistic Director Thomas Jolly, and following a final ‘team relay’ segment, featuring French and global sports legends, Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner set the Cauldron ablaze before it took off to light up the skies over Paris. The Paris 2024 Games are officially open!

AN OPENING CEREMONY OF FIRSTS

For the first time ever, the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games broke out of the stadium, taking over the heart of the host city to the delight of hundreds of thousands of people. With hundreds of thousands of spectators in attendance, never before has an opening ceremony been so open to the public.

Paris, its iconic monuments and the Seine presented an extraordinary setting and aesthetics for what was a 360-degree show conceived by Thomas Jolly. On the quays, the bridges, and even under the Seine, spectators had to keep more than one eye out. As promised, the show, the athletes’ parade and protocol speeches merged together. During the ceremony, a mysterious masked torchbearer led the entire world through this amazing voyage along the river Seine.

Before they turn their attention to competing for Olympic medals, 6,800 athletes had the opportunity to experience an unprecedented Opening Ceremony, filled with excitement, humour and audacity. They will undoubtedly take away a few highlights from this historic evening.

JAMEL DEBBOUZE TAKES THE TORCH TO THE STADE DE FRANCE, ZINEDINE ZIDANE BRINGS IT BACK TOWARDS THE SEINE

In the first touch of humour to set the tone for the evening, Jamel Debbouze initially thought it was a bad joke when he discovered the Stade de France was completely empty. Carrying the Flame, he thought he was launching the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 with great fanfare before his idol made him realise his mistake.

Zinédine Zidane, a legend of French and world football, had returned to his home field in Saint-Denis, where he set the stadium on fire scoring twice in the 1998 World Cup final. A key figure in French sport's greatest home victory, this evening, he became the saviour of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Taking the Torch from the hands of his accomplice, he dashed off to take the Flame and the ceremony out of the stadium and down to the banks of the Seine.

A few moments later, the athletes’ much-coveted medals were presented to them by two of their own, and not just any two: the two most decorated athletes in the history of the Olympic Games in the world and in France, Michael Phelps and Martin Fourcade. Having spent their careers collecting them, these two legends unveiled the gold, silver and bronze medals, set with an original piece of the Eiffel Tower.

THE (WATER) CURTAIN OPENS ON PARADING ATHLETES

As tradition dictates, the Greek delegation is the first to greet the public gathered on the quays of the river Seine. In a theatrical staging, a water curtain opened to let this first boat through under the Austerlitz Bridge. The athletes made their grand entrance on the Seine.

On the bridge, a beautiful fresco celebrated the reunion between the Olympic Games and the city of Paris with the Olympic motto, Faster, higher, stronger, together, and that of Paris, Fluctuat Nec Mergitur .

Amidst a beautifully choreographed ballet of water shows, athletes boarded their boats for a 6km parade, stretching the length of 15 athletics tracks found in a traditional stadium. The athletes were both the privileged spectators and main characters of this 12-act show, and the true stars of the Games received a welcome ovation from the public. Enchanté!

LADY GAGA EMBODIES CABARET, MUSIC-HALL AND FRENCH REVUE

Lady Gaga appeared in the Place Barye to launch the artistic part of the Opening Ceremony with a nod to the tradition of French music hall. From a majestic staircase resembling that of the nave of the Grand Palais, Lady Gaga reinterpreted the classic Mon truc en plume by Zizi Jeanmaire, an icon of French revue.

Chosen for her unique talent, multifaceted performances and love of Parisian culture, Lady Gaga’s performance highlighted the ongoing influence of French culture on the world, and the bond between two icons of two different eras. With her personal touch, Lady Gaga showed how the world has drawn on French culture to reinvent and augment it.

A GRANDIOSE ENCOUNTER BETWEEN AYA NAKAMURA AND THE REPUBLICAN GUARD

On the aptly named Pont des Arts, Thomas Jolly highlighted the equality between eras and between cultures, both academic and pop, with a grandiose encounter: Aya Nakamura and the Republican Guard. In a piece of theatre full of symbolism, the doors of the Institut de France opened to the world’s most listened-to French-speaking artist.

Accompanied by the French Army Choir, Aya Nakamura chose to sing her contemporary hits Pookie and Djadja, as well as the iconic songs by Charles Aznavour For me formidable and La bohème. A joyous ode to the richness and modernity of the French language.

To the rhythm of the notes played by the Republican Guard, a bridge was created between generations, music genres and languages.

A REORCHESTRATED VERSION OF LA MARSEILLAISE FROM THE ROOF OF THE GRAND PALAIS

At the Grand Palais, the spectacular staging of a traditionally formal moment surprised spectators and viewers, French people in particular. On the building’s roof, the opera singer Axelle Saint-Cirel appeared clad in a bleu-blanc-rouge dress adorned with an impressive 6-metre long train. To the powerful notes of new version of La Marseillaise by Victor Le Masne, composer and Music Director of the Paris 2024 Ceremonies, the French spectators gathered on the quays joined in a spine-tingling choir of their national anthem.

At the same moment near the National Assembly, gilded statues of heroines of French history emerged from the depths of the Seine: Olympe de Gouges, Alice Milliat, Gisèle Halimi, Simone de Beauvoir, Paulette Nardal, Jeanne Barret, Louise Michel, Christine de Pizan, Alice Guy and Simone Veil. Through them and their key role in this ceremony, Thomas Jolly paid tribute to all women.

A GIANT BANQUET ON THE DEBILLY FOOTBRIDGE TO WELCOME TEAM FRANCE

The Debilly Footbridge, a typically Parisian bridge, was transformed into the venue for a gigantic banquet for the evening. The table was turned into a catwalk on which an XXL fashion show put fashion and young French designers in the spotlight. The Debilly footbridge then turned into a huge dancefloor to the electronic set of DJ Barbara Butch.

The final 69 delegations were given a fitting welcome to this huge celebration and electric atmosphere. At the end of the parade, the French boat made a triumphant entry, cheered on by a fan zone of close to 2,300 people. The smiling athletes of Team France got a glimpse of what is in store for them: unwavering support. This is what hosting the Games is all about!

A HORSERIDER CLAD IN THE OLYMPIC FLAG GALLOPS DOWN THE SEINE

Thomas Jolly turned the protocol of the Opening Ceremony on its head and transformed it into a show. Galloping on a metal horse, a rider rode down the Seine and the course of the ceremony, draped in a cape emblazoned with the Olympic rings. As the Olympic flag passed by, the spirit of Olympism, marked by friendship and solidarity, expanded throughout the world.

As she passed under the Parisian bridges, the rider unfurled dove wings, a symbolic reminder of the dove release that used to take place to represent the ideal of peace between nations during the Olympic Truce.

The rider concluded her ride at the Trocadéro, giving the Olympic flag a majestic entrance before it was hoisted. Alongside it, the flags of the 205 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) were carried by Games Volunteers.

TONY ESTANGUET DECLARES FRANCE’S LOVE FOR THE GAMES

On the podium in the shape of an Eiffel Tower at the Trocadéro, Tony Estanguet stepped forward to tell the great love story between France and the Games. Born 130 years ago, “when Pierre de Coubertin proposed the rebirth of the ancient Olympic Games, this love story grew with the Games of Paris, of Chamonix, Grenoble and Albertville.” Today, on Friday 26 July 2024, after waiting, after longing for a century, he reminded us of the “great honour" and “huge responsibility" of hosting the Games again.

Welcoming the world to Paris and France, Tony Estanguet told how much of its heart Paris poured into the organisation of the next two weeks by offering athletes “everything that is most precious for us”: "you will find a piece of the Eiffel tower, at the heart of each medal" and "the richest treasures of our national heritage will be the stages on which we compete.”

He highlighted that the Games reminded France that the country is capable of “coming together in the moments that count,” and of "doing things that have never been done before, like having this Opening Ceremony in the city, for the first time in the history of the Olympic Games".

After thanking those who contributed to making the dream of the Paris 2024 Games come true, above all Bernard Lapasset, Tony Estanguet, three-time Olympic champion, addressed the athletes: "For the next 16 days, you will be the best version of humanity. You’ll remind us that the emotions of sport form a universal language that we all share.”

He also had a special word for French athletes, highlighting their capacity to come together and make a whole country proud. ”With each of your victories, France will come together, with each of your victories, France will show its collective pride.”

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, followed by Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, the took their turns at the lectern, the latter officially declaring the Olympic and Paralympic Games open.

RAFAEL NADAL, NADIA COMANECI, CARL LEWIS AND SERENA WILLIAMS JOIN FRENCH SPORTING LEGENDS FOR ONE FINAL TEAM RELAY

Having guided us through this fabulous Opening Ceremony journey, the mysterious flame bearer arrived at the Trocadero for the return of sport. Zinédine Zidane was back to collect and hand the Torch to Rafael Nadal, the most Parisian of international athletes with 14 victories at Roland Garros and. The two-time Olympic champion ran along the Seine together with other sporting legends: Nadia Comaneci, five-time Olympic champion and holder of the first perfect 10 in the history of gymnastics at the Olympic Games; Carl Lewis, considered by some to be the greatest athlete with his 9 Olympic titles in athletics; and Serena Williams the icon of women's sport and the most successful Grand Slam champion. Together, they returned to the quays of the Seine to launch the grand finale of this ceremony.

Arriving at the Jardin des Tuileries in the Louvre, these four legends of international sport joined twenty others, this time from French sport. Four and twenty make twenty-four, the key number of these Games.

Continuing this relay of champions, Serena Williams passed on the Torch to a woman she often encountered on the courts: Amélie Mauresmo, the first and only French tennis player of the Open era to have been world number 1. Then it was Tony Parker's turn, the man who made it big with the Americans, 4-time NBA champion and who paved the way for an entire generation.

The Torch was then passed into the hands of Marie-Amélie Le Fur, President of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee and three-time Paralympic champion, followed by the two future flag-bearers of the French Paralympic delegation, Nantenin Keïta and her four Paralympic medals and Alexis Hanquinquant, reigning Paralympic Para Triathlon champion, forming a link between the Olympic and Paralympic movements.

Michaël Guigou, three-time Olympic champion with the French men's team, and Allison Pineau, member of the first French women's team to become Olympic champion, highlighted the success of the French handball teams at the Games..

As the only Frenchman since 1928 to be double individual Olympic champion in sabre fencing, Jean-François Lamour was a representative of the sport that has brought France the most medals at the Games.

Félicia Ballanger and Florian Rousseau, both members of the exclusive group of three-time Olympic Champions, followed each other, recognising their magnificent track cycling careers.

Emilie Le Pennec, France's first Olympic gymnastics champion, was followed by judoka David Douillet, France's first double Olympic champion, and Clarisse Agbegnenou, the most successful international judoka with 6 world titles, 2 Olympic titles and 1 silver medal.

French swimming, with Alain Bernard, France's first and only Olympic champion in the 100 m freestyle, and Laure Manaudou, France's first Olympic swimming champion at just 17 years of age, also had its moment with these two champions.

Renaud Lavillenie, Olympic champion in London in 2012, who broke Sergei Bubka's legendary record by clearing 6.16m in 2014, and Laura Flessel, France's first Olympic epee champion and two-time Olympic champion, preceded the ‘doyen’ Charles Coste, France's oldest living Olympic champion, 100 years old in 2024 and Olympic cycling champion in 1948.

The final team relay, an innovation of Paris 2024 that featured throughout the Olympic Torch Relay, was therefore a relay of exceptional champions, both international and French, embodying the excellence of the Games.

THE EIFFEL TOWER ILLUMINATES PIERRE DE COUBERTIN'S DESIGN OF THE OLYMPIC RINGS

As the last torchbearers made their way up the Seine towards the Cauldron, the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 continued to amaze at the Trocadéro. For the first time ever, the beacon of the Eiffel Tower stopped sweeping across the Paris sky and stood still. Hitherto hidden beneath the stage in the shape of the Eiffel Tower on the Place du Trocadéro, the original design of the Olympic rings, created by Pierre de Coubertin himself in 1913, surfaced under the projected lights of the Iron Lady. In the eyes of the man who invented the modern Olympic Games, these five interlaced rings represented ‘the five continents united by Olympism and the colours of all the nations’.

MARIE-JOSE PEREC AND TEDDY RINER LIGHT THE CAULDRON BEFORE IT TAKES OFF TO SHINE IN THE SKIES OF PARIS

The lighting of the cauldron was one of most eagerly expected moments of this opening ceremony. Installed at the heart of the city, in the Tuileries gardens of the Louvre, the Paris 2024 Cauldron is in the centre of one of the most beautiful views of the capital, aligned with the Palais du Louvre and its Pyramid, of the Obelisk of the Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysées with the Arc de Triomphe and the Paralympic Agitos at the end.

After the final group relay, Marie-José Perec and Teddy Riner stepped forward above the great fountain of the garden to light up this unexpected and unprecedented Cauldron. Created by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, a giant ring of fire was crowned with a great hot air balloon, creating one of the most memorable images of this ceremony: once lit and freed of its ties, the Cauldron took to the skies to shine in the skies of Paris. With this gesture, Riner kicked off the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and brought an end to the Olympic Torch Relay, which has spread excitement for these Games throughout the whole of France.

The flying, puncture-proof Cauldron disrupts tradition. Thanks to great technological prowess, the Olympic Flame shines with electricity: a light haze is illuminated by a beam of light. Flying in the skies of Paris tonight and every night during the Games, the Cauldron will lcome to ground every day for the public to come and admire it. From July 27, everyone will be able to get up close to the Olympic Flame via a programme of free tickets .

CELINE DION MAKES AN EMOTIONAL COMEBACK FROM THE BALCONY OF THE EIFFEL TOWER

Her return to the stage was awaited by the whole world, and it was grandiose. When Céline Dion appeared on the balcony of the Eiffel Tower to round off this exceptional evening, the quays of the Seine and the Trocadero erupted in cheers.

Céline Dion’s interpretation of ‘L'Hymne à l'amour’, her tribute to Edith Piaf's masterpiece, brought the whole of Paris to its feet. This irresistible artistic choice celebrated the power and emotion of a timeless classic, the extraordinary career of two of the greatest singers of all time, and finally Paris, and all the most beautiful things that France symbolizes.

In this sublime, emotion-filled finale, Céline Dion brought this most extraordinary of opening ceremonies to a close, creating another moment, suspended in time, for the world to remember. Maybe, in 100 years, the world will still be talking about it. But now it’s time for the sport and the athletes to take over. Let the Games begin.