The Paris Olympics opening ceremony, set to take place on Friday night, promises to be the largest and most ambitious open-air show on Earth. Departing from tradition, this theatrical curtain-raiser for the world’s biggest sporting event will occur outside a stadium for the first time, with over 8,000 athletes parading along the River Seine in a spectacular display watched by more than 300,000 people live and over a billion on TV and social media.
The athletes will be transported by boat along a 6 km stretch of the Seine, passing iconic landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre, before concluding near the Eiffel Tower. This grand spectacle will involve an array of performances by dancers, pop stars, tightrope walkers, and acrobats, utilizing water, rooftops, bridges, and artificial islands for their daring feats. Highlights will include floating skateparks, giant replicas of paintings, and a vast laser show finale from the Eiffel Tower.
The preparations have been extensive, with 45,000 police officers and several army units mobilized to ensure security in a city under high terrorism alert. French President Emmanuel Macron initially found the idea “crazy,” but later endorsed it as the right moment for such an ambitious display.
The show is envisioned as a 12-act performance culminating at the Trocadero, with 100 heads of state in attendance. It aims to capture Paris’s diverse history and vibrant youth, challenging clichés while celebrating the city’s spirit. The event will feature performances by French ballet dancer Guillaume Diop, pop star Aya Nakamura, who will perform hits by Charles Aznavour, and anticipated appearances by Céline Dion and Lady Gaga.
The ceremony has a script advised by historian Patrick Boucheron and storyline contributions from Fanny Herrero, the screenwriter behind ‘Call My Agent’. The production emphasizes creativity and humor, moving away from stereotypical French representations like can-can dancers.
Despite the extravagant performances, the focus will remain on the athletes, who will be the real stars of the show. Each nation’s sporting flag-bearer will stand at the prow of a boat, ensuring the athletes are celebrated as the heroes of this historic event.