As the Parisian night descended with rain pouring down like a relentless torrent, threatening to dampen the grand aspirations of the most ambitious opening ceremony in history, Tony Estanguet, the president of the Paris Olympics, displayed impressive humor.
“When you have a passion for the Games, a few rain droplets are no reason to fret,” Estanguet remarked. “A heartfelt thank you to all the enthusiasts of the Games who are here with us – a bit wet – tonight!”
Just a few droplets? If only! Despite the downpour, the spirits of the thousands of athletes journeying 6km along the Seine, as well as the 330,000 spectators cheering them on, were as high as ever. For hours, they sang, danced, and reveled as if at the greatest celebration on earth.
The Dutch and Slovenians bounced joyfully on their boats. The Jamaicans sang spiritedly, brandishing their flags. Team GB’s flag bearers, Tom Daley and Helen Glover, even channeled their inner Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet from Titanic.
Keir Starmer, the prime minister, was just as soaked as everyone else at the Trocadéro, enthusiastically applauding the British athletes, including Sir Andy Murray. Out of 327 participants, 39 members of Team GB made their appearance, a commendable turnout considering the weather.
The innovative concept of hosting the Games outside a conventional stadium was a daring and spectacular gamble, yet Paris flawlessly executed it. As Estanguet expressed, “When you’re deeply passionate about the Games, it feels like anything is possible.”
“We’ve been audacious, doing things unprecedented, like orchestrating this opening ceremony in the city itself, for the first time in Olympic history,” he explained. “Like every host nation, our goal has been to strengthen the Games further.”
“And when you cherish the Games, you’re willing to pursue them for a century to have the opportunity to bring them back to Paris!”
Unsurprisingly, the greatest applause of the night was reserved for the French team. As their boat glided down the Seine, an astonishing rendition of La Marseillaise by Axelle Saint-Cirel echoed from the Grand Palais.
While she performed, ten golden statues of remarkable women from French history ascended from the ground, highlighting that these Games are the first in Olympic history to promote gender neutrality. This significant moment was acknowledged by International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach during his address.
“Together, we will witness a more inclusive, urban, youthful, and sustainable Games,” he stated. “It will be the first Olympic Games to feature complete parity on the competition stage.”
As customary, Bach also conveyed heartfelt sentiments to the host nation, expressing hopes for a better world.
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“Paris, the birthplace of our founder Pierre de Coubertin, from whom we owe everything,” Bach stated, switching between French and English. “Paris, the city of light, where he established the modern Olympic Games. Paris, the city of love. Thank you, France, for this enchanting welcome.
“What could be a more beautiful venue than Paris to share the awe of the Olympic Games with the entire world.”
Bach’s hopeful message? It emerged as he reflected on the potential for these Games to serve as a force for good in a world grappling with the ongoing horrors of the war in Ukraine and the troubling news from Israel and Palestine.
“Some might think that we in the Olympic community are dreamers,” Bach shared with the audience. “But we are not alone in this dream. Olympians worldwide exemplify what incredible feats humanity can achieve. So I urge everyone: dream alongside us.
“Like the Olympic athletes, embrace the joy that only sports can provide. Let us celebrate this Olympic spirit of peaceful coexistence, united as one human family in all our diversity.”
The spectacular finale commenced with icons Rafa Nadal, Serena Williams, Carl Lewis, and Nadia Comaneci racing down the Seine on a speedboat, culminating in lights radiating from the Eiffel Tower, a powerful performance by Céline Dion, and the Olympic flame ascending into the night sky.
All of this portrayed an exhilarating declaration of intent, particularly in the final moments. The sustained applause at the Trocadéro indicated that the audience was equally enamored. The Games have officially begun with a bang.
