Paris: In a grand celebration of history and modernity, the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony showcased a striking contrast to the eighth edition of the Games held a century earlier in 1924 at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium. The Eiffel Tower, just 35 years old in 1924, and the Roland Garros stadium, only 33 and yet to host its first Major, were emblematic of a Paris in transformation. Today, Paris has reinvented itself for its Olympic return exactly a hundred years later, reflecting profound global changes.
The ceremony began with a spectacular six-kilometer parade along the Seine River, starting from the Austerlitz Bridge next to the Jardin des Plantes. The parade meandered under several historic bridges and past major landmarks such as Parc Urbain La Concorde, the Esplanade des Invalides, and the Grand Palais, concluding at the Iena Bridge before the finale at the Trocadero. This parade featured 85 boats, led by Greece, the inaugural host of the Games, transporting 6,800 athletes. Water fountains added to the evening’s visual splendor.
Highlighting the global spirit of the Games, a Refugee Olympic Team participated in the parade, symbolizing the current era’s commitment to inclusion and solidarity. The event drew 205 delegations from around the world and was witnessed by hundreds of thousands, with many attending for free. Helicopters hovered overhead as the festivities unfolded, including 12 cultural tableaux, a cabaret performance by Lady Gaga, and musical acts by prominent French artists such as Aya Nakamura.
The ceremony’s technological advancements were evident with 71 giant screens and 170 cameras providing live coverage, while strategically placed speakers ensured that the vibrant atmosphere resonated throughout Paris.
Among the standout participants were the Indian athletes, dressed in tricolor-themed ceremonial attire with designer kurta Bundi sets for men and sarees for women. The Indian contingent, comprising 78 athletes and officials from 12 disciplines, was led by double Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu and five-time Olympian Sharath Kamal. Notable participants included four-time Olympian archers Deepika Kumari and Tarundeep Rai, Tokyo Games bronze medallist boxer Lovlina Borgohain, shooters Anjum Moudgil, Sift Kaur Samra, Aishwarya Pratap Singh Tomar, and Anish Bhanwala, paddler Manika Batra, and tennis player Rohan Bopanna.
As twilight descended, the Seine’s bridges were illuminated, setting a dramatic stage for the Olympic flame’s ceremonial lighting, marking the start of an extraordinary Olympic journey in Paris.
