A hot-air balloon bearing an Olympic ring of fire illuminated the rainy sky, and Celine Dion’s powerful voice echoed from the Eiffel Tower as Paris commenced its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday. The four-hour, rule-defying opening ceremony took place along the Seine River, transforming the city into a giant open-air theater.
Intermittent showers did little to dampen the spirits of the athletes. Some held umbrellas as they sailed down the river, showcasing the city’s resilience amidst an ongoing investigation into suspected sabotage of France’s high-speed rail network.
The ambitious ceremony carried high stakes for France, with dozens of heads of state and government in attendance. The world watched as iconic Parisian landmarks became stages for dancers, singers, and performers. The Louvre Museum was one such stage, where French judo champion Teddy Riner and three-time Olympic champion runner Marie-José Pérec lit the Olympic cauldron, which then floated into the night sky, paying homage to early French pioneers of manned flight.
“We survived the rain, but it didn’t spoil any of our fun,” USA beach volleyball player Kelly Cheng remarked. “This was one of the most magical nights of our lives.”
Crowds packed the banks and bridges of the Seine, watching from balconies and cheering as the Olympic teams paraded down the increasingly choppy waterway. Many of the hundreds of thousands of spectators huddled under umbrellas, plastic ponchos, or jackets as the rain intensified, while others danced, sang, or sought shelter.
“The rain can’t stop us,” said U.S. basketball star LeBron James, donning a plastic poncho alongside fellow American flag bearer, tennis player Coco Gauff.
The weather created some unusual scenes: a stoic pianist continued playing as puddles formed on his grand piano, a breakdancer performed on a rain-slick platform, and some athletes appeared dressed more for the beach than the rain. Safety concerns prompted organizers to cut certain show elements deemed too risky under the wet conditions.
Despite these challenges, Paris put its best foot forward with a spectacular launch that featured joyous French cancan dancers and a humorous short film starring soccer icon Zinedine Zidane. French blue, white, and red smoke filled the air, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Lady Gaga sang in French in a prerecorded segment, accompanied by dancers with pink plumed pompoms, injecting a cabaret feel into the proceedings. Celine Dion closed the show with her first live performance since being diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder, in late 2022.
French President Emmanuel Macron officially declared the Games open more than three hours into the show. However, a minor mishap occurred earlier when the Olympic flag was briefly raised upside down at the Trocadero across from the Eiffel Tower.
The ceremony included notable moments such as a performance by French-Malian pop star Aya Nakamura, who emerged from a pyrotechnic display in an all-gold outfit to sing her hit “Djadja” alongside a Republican guard band of the French army. The event also celebrated women with ten golden statues of female pioneers rising from giant pedestals along the river, including Olympe de Gouges, a revolutionary who campaigned for women’s rights and the abolition of slavery.
The Paris Games aim to be the first with equal numbers of male and female competitors. The sprawling event posed logistical challenges, with thousands of athletes transported and safeguarded along the 6-kilometer parade route on the Seine. The parade began dramatically with athletes from Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, breaking through water curtains cascading from Austerlitz Bridge, reminiscent of the fountains at Versailles Palace.
Spectators who followed organizers’ advice to arrive early along the ceremony route expressed frustration over long waits to reach their seats, particularly given the high cost of tickets.
Nevertheless, Paris showcased its architectural gems and rich history, with the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum playing starring roles. Award-winning theater director Thomas Jolly crafted a narrative celebrating French history and spirit, aimed at rejuvenating Paris’ image and demonstrating the city’s capability to host a sustainable and appealing Summer Games.
Security was tight, with large sections of central Paris restricted and a no-fly zone enforced during the ceremony. The athletes’ river journey passed historic sites temporarily transformed into Olympic venues, such as Concorde Plaza, now hosting skateboarding, and the golden-domed resting place of Napoléon Bonaparte, the backdrop for Olympic archery. The Eiffel Tower even contributed iron to the Olympic medals, symbolizing Paris’ blend of heritage and innovation.
Paris Games chief organizer Tony Estanguet emphasized, “We want to show the world and the French people that we are capable of extraordinary things.”
