The City of Light shone brightly on Friday as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games kicked off with an ambitious opening ceremony that stretched from the Seine River to the Eiffel Tower. This immersive cultural tour highlighted the extensive French contributions to the arts, featuring iconic appearances and unforgettable performances.
The Parade of Nations on the Seine River
For the first time in Olympic history, athletes from around the world made their grand entrance via boat. Each national delegation sailed down Paris’ “main artery,” the Seine River. Greece, traditionally the leader of the Parade of Nations, started the procession with NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo carrying the flag.
Team USA’s boat, which included flag bearers Coco Gauff and LeBron James, was the penultimate vessel, symbolizing the next Olympic cycle hosted in Los Angeles in 2028. France, as the host country, had the honor of closing the parade.
Lady Gaga’s French and Feather-Filled Performance
Lady Gaga surprised everyone with a Seine-side rendition of Zizi Jeanmaire’s “Mon Truc En Plumes” (“My Thing with Feathers”). Enveloped in pink feathers, Gaga recreated Jeanmaire’s performance from the Ed Sullivan Show, descending the stairs, joining a chorus line, and playing the piano. Gaga expressed her deep connection to French culture, stating her desire to create a performance that celebrated French art and music.
Mysterious Masked Torchbearer Captivates the Internet
A mysterious hooded and masked figure led viewers on a thrilling journey, from rooftop to rooftop and along the Seine, as the torchbearer. This enigmatic character passed through iconic sites like the Louvre, home to the “Venus de Milo” and the “Mona Lisa,” and inspired online memes and comparisons to “Assassin’s Creed” and “The Masked Singer.” Despite the speculation, the torchbearer’s identity remained a mystery, adding to the excitement of the ceremony.
A Tribute to French Culture
French mezzo-soprano Axelle Saint-Cirel sang a powerful rendition of the French national anthem, “La Marseillaise,” from the roof of the Grand Palais. The ceremony also showcased statues representing women in French history with remarkable accomplishments, along with performances of the French rendition of “Can You Hear the People Sing” from “Les Misérables” and a metal performance featuring headless women in red, referencing Marie Antoinette. The event also celebrated Paris as a city of love, with performances highlighting inclusivity, including for the LGBTQ community.
The French Olympians Pass the Torch
The Olympic torch was passed from soccer star Zinedine Zidane to tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams, track hero Carl Lewis, and gymnast Nadia Comăneci. In a poignant moment, 24 Olympic and Paralympic legends lit the Olympic cauldron in the Jardin des Tuileries.
Among them was Charles Coste, the oldest living French Olympic medalist at 100 years old. The cauldron, diverging from tradition, took flight in a hot-air balloon, nodding to the first hydrogen-powered balloon launched from the Tuileries in 1783.
Dion’s Return to the Stage
The most moving moment of the night came at the end, when Céline Dion sang “Hymne à l’amour” (“Hymn to Love”) by Édith Piaf at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. This marked Dion’s first performance since announcing her diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome in 2022. Her powerful rendition concluded the ceremony. Dion’s performance was a highlight, celebrating her deep connection to French culture and her enduring legacy as a vocal powerhouse.
Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century with a spectacular opening ceremony that celebrated French culture and history. Despite the rainy weather, the enthusiasm of the athletes and the crowds remained undampened, setting a vibrant tone for the games ahead.
The night was filled with unforgettable moments, from the Parade of Nations on the Seine to the masked torchbearer and Céline Dion’s stirring return, making it a historic and memorable event.
