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The concept was ridiculed as overly ambitious and the location criticised as a major security risk. But after years of preparation, France breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday – it successfully hosted the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The choice to hold the ceremony on the water of the Seine rather than in a stadium as is the standard was a typically dramatic gesture by President Emmanuel Macron, but it also came with considerable risks.
The day was far from ideal. First came news that three attacks on the French rail network’s signalling infrastructure would affect traffic for days to come and raise the possibility of a hitherto unknown conspiracy by individuals to disrupt the Games.
Meanwhile, the weather was not kind to organizers and spectators, as an untimely downpour drenched performers, athletes and onlookers wearing only plastic ponchos.
But the show goes on.
The ceremony lasted four hours and culminated with the Olympic flame being raised into the sky via a tower of balloons and Celine Dion singing Edith Piaf songs for Paris from the Eiffel Tower.
The eccentric show presented by director Thomas Jolly was not to everyone’s taste – The Times of London called it “surreal” and “a disappointing show” – but no one doubted its originality and daring.
Most importantly, the mega event ended safely and without incident, and Parisians and tourists can now enjoy much of the city again without having to wave a QR code through the barriers set up by police for the event, which have kept much of the riverbank securely sealed off over the past few days.
“The opening day of the Olympics was chaotic with railway facilities vandalized in the morning and heavy rain in the evening, but ended with a grand opening ceremony that broke all the rules,” the daily Liberation wrote on its front page on Saturday.
– ‘Creative genius’ –
Images of police snipers deployed on rooftops were a stark reminder of the ongoing security threat facing France, which has been hit by a series of attacks by Islamist extremists since 2015.
The ceremony also marked a boost for Macron after two turbulent months in which he called early parliamentary elections, raising the prospect of a far-right victory and a new government.
That goal was not achieved, but the country remained politically paralyzed after the election, with the president widely seen as having been weakened during his three-year term.
“Thank you to Thomas Joly and his creative genius for gracing this magnificent ceremony. Thank you to the artists for their contribution to this unique and magical moment. Thank you to the police and emergency services, agents and volunteers,” Macron wrote in an unusual victory post on X.
“Thank you to everyone who believed in this. We’ll still be talking about it 100 years from now! We did it!”
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin added: “We did it! After four years of intense preparations, we are finally hosting the world’s biggest sporting event. We have never been more proud of our security forces.”
Far-right MEP Marion Marechal sneered at X, saying she “desperately seeks to celebrate the values of sport and the beauty of France in such vulgar propaganda”.
– ‘Can’t screw it up’ –
Some spectators were frustrated by rain and crowds obscuring their views, but Joly’s philosophy seemed to focus first and foremost on the millions of viewers around the world who would watch the race at home on television.
The film deftly plays with themes of French culture and history, but adds a modern twist and plenty of inside jokes for those who want to get in on the action. Joly also celebrates the diversity of modern France, highlighting artists of immigrant origin.
“The opening ceremony was really a moment where you couldn’t go wrong. It was a gamble that paid off,” communications expert Philippe Moreau-Cheflait told AFP.
“He (Macron) has very successfully carried out a communication operation for the country and for himself: it was a moment of national unity… He has not had many moments like this in his seven years in power.”
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