The Olympics opening ceremony in Paris kicked off with excitement and heightened security on Friday, amidst concerns of rain and potential sabotage. The ceremony began with a dramatic and fictional portrayal of the Olympic flame’s journey, featuring French soccer legend Zinedine Zidane in a pre-recorded video, racing across Paris and even taking the flame onto the metro. This spectacle preceded the main event on the River Seine, where nearly 7,000 athletes were showcased on a fleet of barges gliding past some of Paris’ iconic landmarks.
A dramatic display of blue, white, and red smoke filled the sky over a river bridge as the ceremony commenced. Despite earlier rain and forecasts of heavy showers, attendees remained enthusiastic. “We are super excited, it happens once in a lifetime,” said 17-year-old Elise Boukorrass. Flavia Merluzzi, a 20-year-old architecture student, echoed the sentiment, saying, “The rain won’t stop me from cheering on the Olympics—sport is everything to me.”
The ceremony featured performances by Lady Gaga, who sang a French cabaret song near Notre-Dame cathedral, and a winged accordion player. Rumors of Canadian singer Celine Dion’s participation added to the excitement, with spectator Chantal Beauvais calling it a potential “magical” moment.
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This event marks the first time an Olympic opening ceremony has been held outside a stadium. A substantial security operation saw approximately 45,000 police officers and thousands of soldiers deployed across Paris. Armed police patrolled the Seine in inflatable boats as the procession moved along the river.
The heightened security comes in the wake of recent international conflicts, including wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and follows a sabotage attack on the TGV rail network that disrupted travel across France. Although France is at its highest security level, officials have assured that there is no specific threat to the Games or the opening ceremony. Israeli competitors are receiving 24-hour protection from elite tactical units due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
