The 2024 Olympics in Paris kicked off in spectacular style, with thousands of athletes sailing along the River Seine amidst lively performances on bridges, banks, and rooftops. For the first time ever, the opening ceremony of the “greatest show on earth” was hosted on a waterway, offering a unique and ambitious spectacle that captured the world’s imagination.
The near four-hour event culminated in a breathtaking moment when French judo legend Teddy Riner and renowned sprinter Marie-José Pérec lit a cauldron shaped like a hot air balloon, which ascended high above the Parisian skyline. The ceremony began with a stunning display of red, white, and blue fireworks that raised the Tricolore above Austerlitz Bridge. Following this, 6,800 athletes from 205 delegations traveled on 85 boats and barges, passing some of the French capital’s most iconic landmarks.
Throughout the ceremony, spectators were treated to surprise performances, including a captivating cabaret number by American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga and a heartfelt return by Canadian icon Celine Dion. Despite major disruptions earlier in the day due to arson attacks on the French train network and heavy rain in the evening, the event proceeded with unmatched enthusiasm. Artistic director Thomas Jolly’s original plan to use the Parisian sun to “make the water sparkle” was thwarted by the rain, but athletes donned rain ponchos and umbrellas, adding to the charm of the lively journey through French history, art, and sport, brought to life by 2,000 musicians, dancers, and other artists.
The last two boats to parade featured the United States, as the next hosts for Los Angeles 2028, and France, with the largest number of athletes on board. Other barges carried several delegations together, fostering a spirit of unity and camaraderie. Great Britain’s flag bearers, rower Helen Glover and diver Tom Daley, proudly led their team in Paris, which is hosting the Summer Games for the third time and the first time in 100 years.
In opening the 33rd Summer Olympics, which take place against a challenging international and domestic political backdrop, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach emphasized the unifying power of the event, telling athletes they were now “part of an event that unites the world in peace.”
Among the 10,500 athletes competing across 32 sports at the Games, Cambodia proudly presents three exceptional athletes: 17-year-old Cambodian-French swimmer Antoine le Lapparent, 23-year-old Cambodian-American swimmer Sakbun Apsara Katarina, and 31-year-old sprinter Bunthan Chhun, who clinched a gold medal at the 2023 SEA Games. Their participation in the Paris Olympics symbolizes Cambodia’s growing presence on the global sports stage and brings immense pride to their homeland.
As the Paris 2024 Olympics unfold, the world watches in awe, inspired by the athletes’ dedication, the beauty of the opening ceremony, and the timeless message of peace and unity that the Games represent.
