Thousands of Olympic competitors navigated the River Seine in a remarkable opening ceremony for the Paris Games on Friday, celebrating Franch history and culture despite persistent rain.
For the first time, the opening ceremony was held outside the main stadium, featuring up to 7,000 athletes parading down the Seine past Paris’s iconic landmarks.
In a bold departure from tradition, athletes sailed in an impressive fleet of 85 boats instead of the customary track walk.
Approximately 300,000 spectators watched from specially constructed stands along the riverbanks, while another 200,000 viewed from balconies and apartments.
The Greek delegation, as the birthplace of the modern Olympic movement, led the flotilla.
The ceremony fused French culture and history, including a pre-recorded segment from US pop star Lady Gaga.
Franco-Malian R&B star, Aya Nakamura, globally renowned for her hit ‘Djadja’, also performed, defying far-right critics who had labeled her lyrics ‘vulgar:
A stunning moment featured pink-skirted can-can dancers adding vibrant colour to the banks of the Seine.
Paris’s vision for the Olympics includes a more cost-effective and eco-friendly approach, with events held at historic sites around the city.
Despite the rain and a series of attacks that disrupted France’s high-speed rail network earlier in the day, Chief Games organizer, Tony Estanguet, expressed confidence in hosting “a great party.”
Selene Martinez, a spectator from Mexico, summed up the excitement, “I’ve got such an adrenaline rush. It’s very exciting.”
Long queues formed at access points along the Seine well before the parade began. After clearing scanners and checkpoints, early arrivals saw numerous floating stages and flags in the Games’ colors adorning the bridges.
A 75-year-old Frenchman, Jean-Yves Herve, enjoyed the ceremony with his granddaughter, noting the friendly atmosphere, “There are lots of foreigners, we’re enjoying it. It’s good for France.”
A massive security operation was in place, with 45,000 police and paramilitary officers, 10,000 soldiers, and 22,000 private security guards ensuring safety.
Police snipers were positioned along the river, overlooked by hundreds of buildings.
France security forces were on high alert to prevent terror attacks or sabotage, with concerns about sophisticated knowledge of the rail network involved in the earlier disruptions.
This affected 800,000 passengers, including some Eurostar services, hindering British fans from reaching the Olympics.
Far-left French anarchists, known for targeting the train network, and potential sabotage from hostile foreign powers like Russia, were among the suspected culprits.
Fray President, Emmanuel Macron, had previously warned of Russia’s intentions to target the Games.
