Paris Olympics Lift Off with Extravagant Opening Ceremony
- The Paris Olympics began with a grand opening ceremony featuring 10,500 athletes parading along the Seine in an outdoor spectacle watched by a billion people. Despite heavy rain and earlier rail sabotage, the event proceeded with high security and elaborate performances. - Lady Gaga and Céline Dion were among the star performers, with Dion closing the show in a custom Dior dress. The ceremony included ballet dancers on the Louvre's roof and modern dancers along the quays, showcasing French culture and history. - Security was tight with 45,000 police deployed, and President Macron hosted over 100 heads of state. The event's ambitious format required meticulous planning and coordination, involving 15,000 performers and technicians. - The idea for the river-based ceremony came from Thierry Reboul, who envisioned it as a unique way to highlight Paris's historical and cultural landmarks. The show featured memorable moments like Zinedine Zidane passing the torch to Rafael Nadal. - Despite the high cost of €120mn, the ceremony aimed to put athletes at the center, offering them prime viewing spots on the boats. The event concluded with a light show from the Eiffel Tower and a hot air balloon bearing the Olympic cauldron. Source: Financial Times, BBC
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