Paris: The Paris Olympic Games opened with an extraordinary display along the Seine, featuring an armada of boats, high-flying dancers, drag queens on bridges, and the Olympic rings illuminating the Eiffel Tower. Despite relentless torrential rain, the ceremony unfolded as promised, captivating over 300,000 spectators who lined the riverside and bridges, while others watched from windows and balconies.
A grand open-air show
France had vowed to deliver the world's largest open-air show for the opening ceremony. Spanning more than 6 kilometers from the Pont d’Austerlitz to the Eiffel Tower, the event showcased a mix of dance, live music, and acrobatics. The ceremony aimed to humorously deconstruct French stereotypes, setting the tone with a performance by US singer Lady Gaga.
Lady Gaga's high-kicking cabaret
Lady Gaga kicked off the festivities near the Sully Bridge, descending a giant golden staircase surrounded by pink pompoms and feather fans. She performed a high-energy cabaret rendition of Zizi Jeanmaire's 1960s music-hall number "Mon Truc en plumes," setting a whimsical tone for the night.
Aya Nakamura's performance
Later, French pop star Aya Nakamura took to the Pont des Arts in a striking musical juxtaposition. Accompanied by the Republican Guard's military drums, Nakamura performed a mix of songs by French crooner Charles Aznavour and her hits, "Pookie" and "Djadja," with the French army choir and brass band. Her presence marked a significant triumph following a racist backlash earlier in the year, underscoring her acceptance and popularity.
A Historic outside ceremony
For the first time, the Olympic opening ceremony took place outside a stadium, with athletes parading in boats rather than around a track. The outdoor event, described by President Emmanuel Macron as a "crazy idea," faced numerous challenges, including travel chaos caused by sabotage attacks on the TGV rail network and a weather nightmare with heavy rain equivalent to 15 days' rainfall in six hours.
Overcoming adversity with determination
The relentless rain soaked athletes and spectators alike, including dignitaries who briefly left their seats at the Trocadero. Despite the downpour, the show went on, demonstrating resilience and determination. Thomas Jolly, the French director behind the surreal and irreverent spectacle, emphasized the event's deeper meaning, aiming to explore "our shared humanity" rather than just providing ephemeral glitz.
A symbolic choice of the Seine
The Seine was chosen for its symbolic "power to heal" from past tragedies, such as the 2015 terrorist attacks and the 2019 Notre Dame fire. A pre-filmed dance routine featuring workers performing high-risk moves on Notre Dame's scaffolding highlighted this theme.
Athletes parade down the Seine
The evening began with 6,800 athletes being transported from the Olympic Village to Pont d’Austerlitz. Under military guard, they boarded boats, with Greece's boat setting off first, followed by the Olympic refugee team and other nations on 85 boats. The Ukrainian delegation received a massive ovation from the riverside crowd. The flotilla marked the first such formation of boats on the Seine since the time of Louis XV, cheered on by spectators hanging from windows.
The Paris Olympics opening ceremony, despite the rain, successfully delivered a memorable and grandiose riverside spectacle, blending humor, resilience, and a celebration of humanity.
Source: Guardian