The Paris Olympics, officially commencing with the opening ceremony on Friday, have adopted the motto “Games wide open.” This marks the first time in a century that the French capital will host the Summer Games, with most events staged at or near its iconic landmarks.
Opening Ceremony Extravaganza
The opening ceremony promises a unique experience, featuring boats carrying athletes and dignitaries down a 6-kilometer stretch of the River Seine, accommodating up to 300,000 spectators. While details remain scarce, rumors suggest performances by Celine Dion and Lady Gaga. The ceremony’s artistic director, Thomas Jolly, aims to showcase France’s diverse cultural heritage.
A significant milestone for this year’s Games is the achievement of gender parity, with equal representation of 5,250 male and 5,250 female athletes competing. As millions are expected to attend, Paris is making final preparations to ensure an unforgettable experience.
Readiness Amid Challenges
French President Emmanuel Macron declared earlier this week that the country is “ready and will remain ready throughout the Games.” However, some Parisians have expressed concerns about overcrowding, price inflation, and transportation challenges via social media.
Security is a top priority, with up to 5,000 police officers, soldiers, and guards patrolling the city. For the opening ceremony, the Seine has been fenced off, requiring residents to use QR codes for access, which has temporarily impacted local businesses. French authorities assure that the barricades will be removed after Friday’s event.
The estimated cost of the Games is around 9 billion euros (£7.6bn), with organizers committed to making it the greenest Olympics in history. Only two venues, an aquatics center and an arena for badminton and rhythmic gymnastics, have been newly constructed. Events will be held at historic sites like the Stade de France, Roland Garros, the Grand Palais, and the Place de la Concorde.
Addressing Water Concerns
The Seine will host the swimming segment of the triathlon and open-water events. Although swimming in the river was banned for a century due to poor water quality, recent tests show progress, with Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo taking a swim on July 17 to demonstrate its safety. Water quality will be monitored closely leading up to the events.
New Events and Familiar Faces
This year’s Games introduce breaking, a dance style originating from New York’s Bronx, as the only new event. Other sports have seen modifications, such as allowing men to compete in artistic synchronized swimming for the first time, though none were selected for Paris.
Several of Britain’s finest athletes will make their final Olympic appearances, including tennis legend Andy Murray, gymnast Max Whitlock, and swimmer Adam Peaty. Katarina Johnson-Thompson seeks redemption after her Tokyo 2021 setback, while Charlotte Dujardin will miss the Games after controversy over excessive horse whipping.
Simone Biles returns as gymnastics’ most decorated athlete, with Stephen Curry competing in basketball. American stars Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles aim to shine on the track, while Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce looks to cap off her career with another medal.
Sending a Message of Peace
Due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, athletes from Russia and Belarus are banned from competing under their national flags. Instead, 36 Russian and 24 Belarusian athletes will participate as Individual Neutral Athletes (INA), following strict criteria set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
While some have criticized this decision, IOC president Thomas Bach defended it, stating that athletes are “peace ambassadors of our time.” He praised their ability to compete fiercely yet coexist peacefully in the Olympic Village, symbolizing a message of peace from Paris to the world.
A Unique Opening Ceremony
Paris’ ambitious opening ceremony marks the first time a Summer Olympics begins outside the main athletics stadium. Lasting just under four hours, it will include the official opening by President Macron and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.
The dancers’ union nearly went on strike over pay, but a new offer resolved the issue just in time.
The opening ceremony kicks off at 19:30 CET (18:30 BST) on Friday, July 26. It will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website, and the BBC Sport app. BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds will provide radio coverage, with live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app.
Rower Helen Glover and diver Tom Daley will bear the flag for Team GB, while Coco Gauff and LeBron James represent the United States. Boxer Cindy Ngamba and taekwondo athlete Yahya Al-Ghotany will lead the refugee team.
Although Friday marks the official start of the Games, some events have already begun, including men’s rugby sevens and both men’s and women’s football. The men’s football opener between Morocco and Argentina faced a nearly four-hour delay due to crowd issues, eventually resulting in a 2-1 victory for Morocco.
Credit: BBC Sport
