The big day is finally here!
Thousands of athletes and spectators descended upon Paris, France for the 2024 Olympics. The streets of the City of Lights filled with those who traveled from far and wide and withstood nearly constant rainfall to cheer on their respective countries at the Opening Ceremony.
It’s a moment years in the making for the organizers, who worked hard to see their ambitious plan for the celebration come to life. In a departure from Opening Ceremonies of years past, the event took place outside of a stadium, giving bystanders the opportunity to take part in the activities—for free, no less. And even those at home were transported to the romantic city with cameras traveling from the Seine to the Louvre throughout the ceremony.
It was truly a history Opening Ceremony that veered from tradition in glamorous fashion. As Jide Adesina, Niyi Babade and other 1st Afrika will be reporting, analyzing and engaging the Olympians “There is no model; it’s absolute creation.”
What time does the Olympics opening ceremony start?
Primetime coverage of the events can be seen on 1st Afrika through Fubo.TV, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET.
What to Expect
Those watching at home on 1st Afrika and Fubo will feel like they’re part of one big watch party, with 1st Afrika Paris 2024 special with Jide Adesina, Niyi Babade and Emenike Justice along with sport report s and syndicated news agencies will bring live transmission a fulfilling and rewarding experience.
Schedule of Events
Though the Opening Ceremony is a bright and vibrant celebration, there are some formalities to get out of the way before the fun can really begin. For starters, French President Emmanuel Macron has to deliver a speech with very specific words before the host country’s National Anthem “La Marseillese” is performed—and those are only two of the 11 requirements for the ceremony.
How long was the Paris Opening Ceremony?
After a rainy and action-packed four hours, the grand celebration draws to a close following an emotional performance from Celine Dion. Now, let the Games begin!
Celine Dion Makes Triumphant Return to the Stage
With the Eiffel Tower serving as the backdrop, Dion sang the emotional Edith Piaf song “Hymne à l’amour.”
The moment was particularly emotional for fans and viewers as the singer has not performed in public in many months, having been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome. Though the diagnosis was a setback for the star, she vowed to return to Paris and sing for her fans once again when speaking with Hoda Kotb about her condition in June.
The Olympic Cauldron/Hot Air Balloon Is Finally Lit
After a long relay that saw the torch be handed off to many Olympic athletes, Teddy Riner and Marie-José Pérec lit a cauldron that closely resembles a hot air balloon. The unique cauldron pays homage to the “first hydrogen-powered flight of a balloon, which took place in the Tuileries in 1783,” according to Olympics.com.
The Passing of the Olympic Torch
Former soccer player Zinedine Zidane handed the torch to iconic Olympians Serena Williams, Carl Lewis, Rafael Nadal, and Nadia Comăneci who are carrying it along the Seine in a boat.
Olympians Hard Work Pays Off
It’s no exaggeration to say that athletes have endured blood, sweat, and tears on their road to the Summer Games — but does it pay in cold hard cash? The answer is complicated and often dependent on many factors, including the type of sport.
The Hooded Figure Carries the Olympic Flag
Capping the procession of the Seine, dramatic music plays as a representation of the hooded figure is once again seen gliding on the water while riding a silver mechanical horse and carrying the official Olympic flag.
The Olympic Rings’ Birthplace in Paris
The 2024 Olympics mark 24 years since the International Olympic Committee began to use the now-iconic rings as their logo. Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin, a co-founder of the IOC, helped to create the image when he was the president of the IOC during the 1924 Paris Games.
All the Countries Unite
Pianist Sofian Pamart and singer Juliette Armanet perform John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Imagine,” which has become an unofficial tradition of the Opening Ceremony, from a boat on the Seine. Athletes and onlookers join the artists in singing the beloved and recognizable tune.
The Parade Is Over But the Party Continues
The cruise down the Seine is officially complete and Team USA is walking in to the Trocadero, where the festivities will continue. We can’t wait to see what the Olympic organizers have in store for us next!
Olympic Surfers Join the Party from Tahiti
The show briefly left the City of Lights to give viewers a glimpse of the surfers in Tahiti. Their competition will be taking place in the French Polynesian islands, specifically the waters of Teahupo’o.
Ralph Lauren Designs Team USA’s Stylish Opening Ceremony Outfits
Wondering where you can get yourself one of the Opening Ceremony ensembles? Well, we’ve got good news! American clothing brand Ralph Lauren designed the traditional, classic blazers and jeans worn by Team USA today, as well as the Closing Ceremony jackets.
LeBron James and Coco Gauff Proudly Carry the American Flag
Team USA flagbearers LeBron James and Coco Gauff are in high spirits despite pouring rain. In the words of Coco, “Rain can’t hold us down!”
The duo — who are quite different in height — were nominated to be the flagbearers by Team USA athletes.
DJ Barbara Butch Gets the Party Going
The celebrations continue with a fashion show and performance by DJ and LGBTQ+ activist Barbara Butch on the Debilly Footbridge. Italian Paralympic fencer Bebe Vio is one of the athletes to model looks from young French designers.
The Olympic Village Unites the Nations
Though the athletes are divided into their respective teams for the Parade, they get to come together and mingle at the Olympic Village, which is located in the Parisian neighborhood of Saint-Denis.
Who is Aya Nakamura? All About the Pop Star
After the masked man lit the Olympic Flame on the bridge, Aya Nakamura took the stage to perform a few of her hit songs, including “Pookie,” while dressed in a stunning gold ensemble. She was joined on the Pont des Arts by the orchestra of the French Republican Guard.
French Singer Axelle Saint-Cirel Performs “La Marseillaise”
Part of the Opening Ceremony is the singing of the host country’s national anthem, which is “La Marseillaise” for France. Standing atop the Grand Palais, Axelle Saint-Cirel, a mezzo-soprano for the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, did the honors while dressed in a French flag gown made by world-famous House of Dior.
The Minions Steal the Mona Lisa
Gru’s Minions, most recently seen in Despicable Me 4, got in on the action in an animated sequence showing them navigating the Seine in a submarine. Their objective? Stealing the Mona Lisa.
Who are Gojira, the first metal band to perform at the Opening Ceremony?
The metal band made up of brothers Joe and Mario Duplantier, Christian Andreu, and Jean-Michel Labadie made a lasting impression on viewers when they performed their hit song as flames erupted around them. Singing from a boat was opera singer Marina Viotti, who performed the Georges Bizet’s Carmen: L’amour est un oiseau rebelle (also known as “La Habanera”).
Past Meets Present in an Iconic Spectacle
The Opening Ceremony pays tribute to France’s revolutionary past with a brief visit to a theater where actors are in the midst of a scene from Les Misérables. Then, the heavy metal band Gojira delivers a breathtaking performance, a first in Olympic history, in front of the Conciergerie.
The Eiffel Tower’s Role in the Summer Olympics — and the Medals
Athletes who take home a medal from the Olympics will be taking a piece of Paris back home with them — literally. Pieces of the Eiffel Tower were melted down to make the medals.
A Masked Figure Ziplines Across the Seine Toward the Notre Dame Cathedral
As the Parade of Nations continues and Moulin Rouge dancers do the can-can, a masked figure is running along the Paris rooftops carrying the Olympic torch. He even crosses paths with the dancers surrounding the historic Notre Dame Cathedral and other local sites. But, who exactly is this mysterious? Maybe we’ll find out later!
Simone Biles’ Parents Join Snoop Dogg and Hoda Kotb
Snoop Dogg’s first appearance during the Opening Ceremony takes place by the River Seine, where he spoke with the gymnast’s parents, Nellie and Ron.
Lady Gaga Sings in French and Covered in Feathers
The American singer got the crowds excited with a performance — in French, none the less. As dancers shimmy and shake with feathers, the artist sings “Mon Truc en Plumes” by French actress and dancer Zizi Jeanmaire on the bank of the river and even briefly stops to play a tune on the piano.
Athletes Begin Their Procession Up the Seine
The more than 10,000 Athletes representing over 184 countries are beginning their journey down the Seine River. While the Parade of Nations is in alphabetical order, Greece has the honor of leading the procession, the Games having started in Athens. Fans will have to wait to catch a peek of the Team USA athletes’ entrance, as they are being saved second for last in recognition of the Olympics returning to Los Angeles in 2028, while Team France is saved for last as the host country.
The Opening Ceremony Officially Begins
The Opening Ceremony begins with a filmed montage starring the iconic French soccer player Zinedine Zidane carrying the torch through the French Metro. When a subway stalls, he hands the Olympic torch to a trio of kids who then enlist a phantom-like figure to help them take it to the Trocadero — seemingly in reference to the famed Phantom of the Opera. Together, the group appears in real-time on the Seine.
John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, & Kids Are Ready to See Simone Biles Slay
The Voice Coach, his chef wife and their children told reporters they are excited to have the opportunity of seeing their favorite athletes in action. Their daughter, Luna, said she’s going to be cheering on the iconic gymnast, Simone Biles.
Traditions as Old as Time
A majority of the Opening Ceremony protocol takes inspiration from the ancient Olympics, including the lighting of the ceremonial flame. That said, some other traditions, like competing totally in the nude, were thankfully left in the past.
Revisit the Opening Ceremony Performances of Years Past
Over the years, an array of impressive artists have taken the stage during Opening Ceremonies. From The Beatles’ Paul McCartney at the 2012 London Games to Celine Dion at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, those performing at today’s event are joining a prestigious group and becoming a part of history.
Snoop Dogg Carries the Olympic Torch
The West Coast rapper carried the Olympic Flame through Saint-Denis ahead of the Games, a moment that he described as being particularly “emotional.”
What is the Paris Olympics mascot?
Expect to see Phryges, the French Olympic mascot, throughout the Opening Ceremony. The red figures may not look like much, but they’re actually a nod to France’s storied history.
By: Jide Adesina
@Paris 2024 Olympics
