Historic Paris 2024 Olympics Ceremony on the Seine River

Paris - The opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris was bold, original, and unique, setting a new precedent in Olympic history. Singer Lady Gaga and French football legend Zinedine Zidane were among the stars who graced the ceremony held on the Seine River, a first for the Olympic Games.

A Grand Ceremony on the Seine River

For the first time, the Olympic Summer Games' opening ceremony did not take place in a stadium. Instead, about 6,800 athletes paraded on over 90 boats along the Seine River, covering 6 kilometers (3.7 miles). The boats were equipped with cameras to capture the event. While 10,700 athletes are expected to participate, many, including football players and surfers, were absent due to their events' locations.

Spectacular Performances and Events

Despite the risk of rain, around 300,000 people watched the ceremony from specially built stands along the river, while another 200,000 viewed it from balconies and apartments. Iconic performances by pop star Lady Gaga, metal band Gojyou, and singer Aya Nakamura enthralled the audience on both sides of the Seine. Additionally, various colorful events, including fashion shows, were organized.

Indian Contingent Led by PV Sindhu and Sharath Kamal

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and five-time Olympian Sharath Kamal were India's flag-bearers, leading the 117-athlete strong contingent. India had already begun its Olympic campaign a day earlier with the archery ranking round, where both men's and women's teams qualified for the quarter-finals. The opening ceremony was still underway at the time of writing this news.