Olympic Games PARIS 2024 Opening Highlights

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AN ICONIC EVENT IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS THAT WILL CELEBRATE THE CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL LEGACY OF FRANCE

The countdown to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games is finished. The world’s attention is focused on the emblematic French capital. With history, culture, and sports converging in an unprecedented spectacle, the City of Light is ready to host one of the most anticipated events of the decade. Excitement and anticipation are growing among athletes, spectators, and tourists, sending Olympics betting odds through the roof.

FIRST OPENING CEREMONY OUTSIDE A STADIUM

The opening ceremony will not occur in a stadium for the first time in the history of the Summer Olympic Games. Instead, Paris 2024 decided to use the River Seine as the main stage, with athletes parading along the Seine, passing by historic and emblematic locations such as the Place de la Concorde and the Grand Palais, culminating at the Trocadero. Strategically placed screens and speakers will allow hundreds of thousands of people to enjoy the event for free. 

GAMES IN HISTORIC LOCATIONS

Paris 2024 will take the Games to every corner of the city, with 80% of the competition venues located within 10 km of the Olympic Village. Iconic places like the Grand Palais, the Esplanade des Invalides, and the Champ de Mars will serve as sports venues, highlighting the city’s cultural heritage.

The Olympic Village will be the event’s epicenter, located just 7 km from central Paris and less than 2 km from the Stade de France. These historic settings add an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability.

MARATHON IN HOMAGE TO THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

The Paris 2024 Olympic marathon will trace the steps of history, honoring the Women’s March on Versailles of 1789, and on August 11, 2024, the women’s marathon will run through the streets of Paris and nine districts of Île-de-France, passing by famous monuments and parks. This unique route will symbolically connect the past with the present, capturing the spirit of the quest for Liberty.

NEW OLYMPIC DISCIPLINES

Paris 2024 will open up to six new Olympic disciplines: skateboarding, sport climbing, BMX freestyle, surfing, 3×3 basketball, and breaking: these sports, rooted in urban culture, will have a special place in the new SPOT 24 at the Olympic Museum, where the exhibition will celebrate modern urban culture in Paris, offering an immersive and interactive experience with original creations by French and international artists.

A SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE EVENT

The Paris 2024 organizing committee has placed sustainability and inclusion at the heart of its mission. Paris 2024 aims to leave a lasting social and environmental legacy from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to promoting sustainable transportation solutions. Cleaning the Seine and expanding bike lanes are just a few of the commitments to ensure a positive impact on the city before, during, and after the event.

KEY FACTS IN BRIEF:

STAR-STUDDED ARTISTIC SPECTACLE

Tony Estanguet and Thomas Joly will direct the ceremony, which will feature over 3,000 artists. Notable participants include Rosalía, Charlize Theron, Serena Williams, and Cirque du Soleil. Marc Cerrone and Aya Nakamura will also offer standout performances.

DAZZLING NAUTICAL PARADE

Athletes from 206 countries will navigate 6 kilometers on the Seine in barges. Additionally, the parade will start at the Austerlitz Bridge and pass by significant monuments, creating an unprecedented visual experience.

INNOVATION IN TECHNOLOGY AND SECURITY

The event will be broadcast to 1.5 billion people, with 120 cameras, eight drones, and three helicopters capturing the action. Additional boats will protect the athletes and ensure security.

GLOBAL ANTICIPATION

Organizers expect around 600,000 people to attend the opening, which will be shown on 80 giant screens across Paris. There will be 222,000 tickets for the upper banks of the Seine and over 100,000 tickets for the lower quays.

LIGHTING OF THE FLAME

One of the central mysteries is who will light the Olympic flame. Snoop Dogg and Celine Dion are mentioned as possible candidates.

CHALLENGES AND PREPARATIONS

Despite rain threats and security issues, organizers are prepared. The ceremony faces a high-security context due to a “massive attack” that disrupted the French rail network, affecting 800,000 travelers. Additionally, Basel-Mulhouse Airport was evacuated due to a bomb threat. Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castera has assured that these challenges will not ruin the ceremony.

CELEBRITY PARTICIPATION

Lady Gaga and Snoop Dogg, along with Mohamed Bouhafsi and Laetitia Casta carrying the Olympic torch, will be part of the event.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be an unprecedented sporting spectacle and a celebration of history, culture, and innovation. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience a unique event in the City of Light, and keep an eye on the Olympics betting odds as the excitement builds.