The Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games commenced with an unprecedented opening ceremony that reflected the grand scale of the prestigious sporting extravaganza. Marking a historic first, the ceremony took place outside a stadium, on a glamorous set-up on the picturesque Seine River, reflecting the historical charm of Paris and the culture of France, blended with the modern spirit of the Olympics.
Qatar’s pride was reflected amidst the grand welcoming of the athletes, who instead of marching on a track, were presented on boats on the seine waters, watched by over 320,000 spectators on the banks in a six-kilometre stretch of the river.
Among the dignitaries at the stands, was the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani who watched Qatar’s high jump superstar Mutaz Barshim and sprinter Shahd Mohammed carry the national flag, flanked by 12 more athletes who are aiming to make their country proud on the global stage. Barshim, a triple Olympic medallist and the reigning high jump champion is arguably the nation’s foremost medal hope at the Paris 2024 Games, the 33rd edition of the Olympics which sees Qatari athletes competing across five sports.
Over 6,800 athletes representing 205 National Olympic Councils paraded on 85 boats, sailing past Paris’s renowned landmarks, creating striking visuals witnessed by dignitaries, prominent officials, past and present legends in sport, and spectators, at the specially constructed stands along the riverbanks and over 200,000 onlookers. Opting for a ceremony on the waters of the River Seine was an initiative by French President Emmanuel Macron, which turned out to be an absolute masterpiece.
Crafted by renowned French theatre director Thomas Jolly, the ceremony was meticulously orchestrated to reflect tradition while embracing innovations over four hours, culminating with the lighting of a unique cauldron lit by torchbearers – former sprint champion Marie-Jose Perec and superstar judoka Teddy Riner.
During the opening of the Games, the International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach highlighted that the world is brought together in unity through sport, stating, “In our Olympic world, there is no ‘global south’ or ‘global north’. We all respect the same rules and each other. In our Olympic world, we all belong.”
“So I invite everybody: dream with us. Like the Olympic athletes, be inspired by the joy that only sport can give us. Let us celebrate this Olympic spirit of living in peace, as the only humankind, united in all our diversity,” Bach added.
As the Games unfold, the spotlight focuses on Paris as athletes start their journeys in search of triumphs and achievements, embracing the Olympic values of friendship, respect, and excellence that Paris 2024 offers.
