An emotional and creative ceremony kicks off the 2024 Paris Olympics

[ad_1]

Mexico City (apro) – The 2024 Paris Olympic Games kick off for the first time in history in a special and different open-air format, with 10,500 athletes from 206 countries competing for 17 days for Olympic glory.

The opening ceremony of the Olympics began under the threat of intermittent rain, which intensified as the program progressed. The Greek delegation of 37 athletes and the refugee team, some of whom were born in Afghanistan, Iran, Cuba and Syria, were the first to cross the Seine.

For the first time in Olympic history, the medal ceremony was not held in a stadium, with athletes sailing down the Seine in 100 boats designed especially for the occasion, with Parisian monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and Notre Dame in the background.

Because it is outdoors, the French government has taken maximum security measures to protect the French capital to ensure the safety of the athletes as they run six kilometers along the riverbed.

Some of the celebrities who took part in the ceremony included Zinedine Zidane, who was part of the opening ceremony and appeared in an earlier video holding the Olympic torch.

Lady Gaga wowed the world by singing in French during the show. Gaga appeared in typical cabaret costumes, which are part of French identity and culture and have inspired books, songs and films.

107 Mexican athletes appeared on boat 50 as the 121st delegation, led by pentathlete Emiliano Hernández and two-time Olympic medalist Alejandra Orozco.

Some of the athletes in attendance included boxers Marco Verde, Alejandra Valencia, Ana Paula Vazquez, Osmar Olvera, Kevin Berlin, Randall Willas and Gabriella Agundez.

French President Emmanuel Macron shared a box with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and other leaders.

In his speech, Bach thanked France for hosting the Olympic Games. “The Olympic flame will make Paris and the whole of France shine brighter. We thank all our French friends. This inclusive city Olympics is also the first gender-equal Olympics.”

The Olympic torch was the last to enter the scene. Before it fell into the hands of judoka Teddy Riner and athlete Marie-José Perec, it was worn by dozens of athletes and former athletes around the world, including Zinedine Zidane, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Nadia Comaneci, Amelie Mauresmo and Tony Parker. After Teddy Riner and Marie-José Perec lit the cauldron, the 2024 Paris Olympics officially opened.

Teddy Rainer, Marie-José Perec, the Olympic flame?

This photo has 3 titles #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/CMqPsG3v4B
— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) July 26, 2024