The Olympics Games Paris 2024 officially open on Friday 26 July, with the Opening Ceremony set to be a spectacle that will last over three hours and be watched by billions of people from around the world on broadcast, as well as hundreds of thousands in person through the city of Paris.
The 2024 Opening Ceremony is set to be a unique and original event, as instead of situating all of the ceremony in the main stadium, it will instead start on the river Seine. Nearly 100 boats will parade down a six kilometer stretch of the Seine, winding east to west through Paris and passing by some of the city’s iconic bridges, landmarks (like the Notre-Dame and the Louvre), and Paris 2024 venues (including the Grand Palais).
"With the natural light of the setting sun, the event will be even more sublime, with a truly poetic dimension, inviting both athletes and the public to appreciate the natural beauty of the City of Light," said head of the Paris 2024 organizing committee Tony Estanguet.
The route will end near the Eiffel Tower at the Trocadéro, where the ceremony’s finale and official Paris 2024 protocols, including the opening declaration by French President Emmanuel Macron, will take place.
In terms of performances, much has been kept under wraps so far, but acclaimed choreographer Maud Le Pladec, who will be leading the dancers, told reporters in June: “There won’t be a single bridge in Paris without some dancers on it."
This original take on the Opening Ceremony has the stamp of approval from legend Usain Bolt. The former Jamaican sprinter got a glimpse of the sailing experience during last year’s presentation of the Olympic torch.
He shared his excitement for the eventual Opening Ceremony and the crowd that would show up to watch: “Imagine everybody standing outside, across the bridges cheering people up,” he said. “I think it’s gonna be one of the best, if not the best Opening Ceremony."
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Olympic Games Paris 2024 selected broadcast highlights
Friday 26 July
- 19:25: Opening Ceremony – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Olympic MX10, SuperSport Olympic MX15, SuperSport Maximo 1 and SuperSport Maximo 2