Paris, July 26, 2024, The Europe Today: The Olympic flame soared over Paris on Friday night in a floating cauldron lit by French athletes Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner, marking the commencement of the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Canadian music legend Céline Dion concluded the night with her first public performance in four years, delivering a poignant rendition of Edith Piaf’s “Hymne à l’Amour” from the Eiffel Tower.
Despite worsening rain, the enthusiasm of hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the banks of the River Seine remained undiminished as nearly 7,000 athletes participated in a spectacular floating parade. The Opening Ceremony, which began at 7:30 PM, took the athletes on a journey up the River Seine, passing some of Paris’s most iconic landmarks. The event lasted approximately three hours and 45 minutes.
The grand show was witnessed by more than 80 heads of state and government, with over 300,000 spectators watching from the river’s banks, according to organizers.
Security measures were robust, with as many as 45,000 police officers and thousands of soldiers and private security guards deployed to ensure the safety of the ceremony and the upcoming sporting events spread across Paris.
The ceremony opened with a performance by Lady Gaga, who delivered an iconic French cabaret classic. The night also featured Franco-Malian singer Aya Nakamura, who captivated the audience with her hit song “Djadja.”
The Paris 2024 Olympics are set to be a remarkable celebration of athletic prowess, cultural performances, and international unity, with the opening event setting a high standard for the days to come.
