NEW DELHI: The 33rd Olympic Games kicked off in Paris on Friday with a mesmerising Opening Ceremony that transformed the city into a gigantic stage. The legendary River Seine formed the course for the athletes’ procession, highlighting France’s rich cultural fabric, the essence of its revolution, exceptional craftsmanship and architectural heritage.
Breaking with tradition, the enchanting spectacle kicked off with the “Parade of Nations”, where athletes and refugee teams from 205 countries sailed in boats down the Seine. Undaunted, participants showed tenacity and determination despite the threat of heavy rain before and during the ceremony.
The ceremony also featured a heartwarming touch to Hindi, one of six languages featured in an infographic in the “Sisterhood” section, which celebrated the achievements of notable French women, news agency PTI reported.
French President Emmanuel Macron opened the Games, officially kicking off the next 16 days of competition.
But the real highlight of the Games was undoubtedly the athletes’ procession along the Seine, which enchanted the spectators with its grandeur and symbolism.
The ceremony began with a pre-recorded video showing World Cup winner and soccer star Zinedine Zidane running through the streets of Paris carrying the Olympic torch.
The cameras then focused on French President Emmanuel Macron and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, who signalled the official start of the event.
The six-kilometre parade, which began at the Pont d’Austerlitz and was greeted with roaring cheers from the assembled crowd, included more than 6,800 athletes on 85 boats, but Saturday’s competition meant a significant number of athletes were unable to take part in the spectacular event.
The order of arrival followed the French alphabet, with the Greek delegation, revered as the spiritual home of the Olympics, leading the way, followed by the refugee team.
Sharat Kamal, PV Sindhu to lead Indian team at glamorous Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony
The Indian contingent of 78 athletes and officials was the 84th to enter the tournament. The contingent was led by two of Indian sporting icons – two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and India’s flag-bearer, legendary table tennis player A Sharath Kamal.
The female members of the Indian contingent were gracefully dressed in the traditional Indian dress, the sari, while the male players and officials wore the Indian flag-inspired ‘kurta-payjama’ to flaunt national pride and unity.
(Reuters photo)
The boat passed by the city’s iconic landmarks, including the restored Notre Dame Cathedral, the famous Louvre Museum and several Olympic venues, after it was destroyed by fire five years ago.
In April 2019, footage of the cathedral bursting into flames and its spire collapsing shocked the world.
American pop superstar Lady Gaga was one of the first international artists to captivate the assembled crowd. The ceremony was led by artistic director Thomas Joly.
(Reuters photo)
Amid the colourful event, a mysterious torch runner carried the torch around the city and its most famous landmarks, garnering everyone’s attention.
He even zip-lined across the Seine from the Île Saint-Louis after the cabaret performers had finished their show.
Adding a touch of childlike fun to the ceremony were the world-famous Minions and the missing Mona Lisa, which was later found floating in the River Seine.
In addition to the more than 100,000 tickets sold, more than 200,000 free tickets were distributed, and dance performances were held at bridges along the parade route for fans who had gathered at various locations.
(Reuters photo)
The event offered a glimpse into the Paris Mint’s workshops where the Olympic medals are minted, celebrating the city’s renowned craftsmanship. A total of 5,084 medals are being produced for the 2024 Olympics, each with a part of the Eiffel Tower embedded in it.
The ceremony also included a political theme, with a segment titled “Liberation” that paid homage to the 18th century French Revolution, which was sparked by the extravagance of King Louis XVI.
Part of the performance includes a statuette of Marie Antoinette’s decapitated torso, quoting her infamous line, “Let them eat bread,” supposedly uttered upon learning of the economic hardships of the French people.
Overcoming unprecedented logistical and safety challenges, organisers promised an unforgettable spectacle as they transformed the entire city into a ceremony venue. They claimed the event would be the biggest in Olympic history, with more than 300,000 spectators gathering along the Seine and billions watching on television.
This will be the third time that Paris has hosted the Olympic Games, having previously hosted in 1900 and 1924.
A total of 117 athletes, including 47 women, will participate from India in the sports extravaganza.
