ECNETNews, Paris, France, July 26, 2024: The highly anticipated Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games commenced today, setting the stage for an extraordinary celebration in the modern Olympiad’s 128-year history.
In a departure from tradition, approximately 10,500 athletes, representing nations from around the globe including the Caribbean nations such as Guyana, embarked on a 3.5-mile flotilla of 94 boats traversing the iconic Seine River. Despite rainy weather, the uniformed participants enlivened the atmosphere by cheering and waving to enthusiastic spectators.
The ceremony began with an electrifying video featuring French soccer icon Zinedine Zidane, followed by a welcoming address from French President Emmanuel Macron. The event was headlined by performance artist Lady Gaga, who entertained the crowd with a captivating medley of cabaret classics, including the iconic 1960s song “Mon Truc En Plumes.” Numerous performances paid homage to renowned French cultural elements, including the can-can and “Les Misérables.”
Marking a momentous return for the summer sporting spectacle, this event welcomes back live audiences for the first time in eight years following the challenges posed by the pandemic during the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. The parade of Caribbean athletes aboard boats along the Seine epitomizes the diversity and unity that defines this monumental global gathering. With over 200 national teams set to compete across 329 events over the course of 19 days, the excitement is palpable, especially as the tournament initiates with handball, soccer, and rugby matches kicking off on Wednesday. Additionally, to engage younger viewers, four new disciplines—sport climbing, skateboarding, surfing, and break dancing—have been introduced.
Stay tuned for highlights of Caribbean athletes participating in the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony.
