World Courant
The Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics made historical past on Friday as the primary to happen exterior of a stadium, with a bevy of performances that included a French-language music from famous person Woman Gaga, a style runway present on a bridge and boats stuffed with international athletes cheering as they sailed down the River Seine.
The floatilla occasion, identified for its pomp and grand shows from the host nation, was beset by a wet day in Paris, however that did not cease spectators from lining up alongside Paris’ well-known river to catch a glimpse of the spectacle.
Beginning on the Austerlitz Bridge subsequent to Paris’ Jardin des Plantes, the route adopted the course of the Seine, east to west. It surrounds two islands within the middle of Paris after which flows underneath a number of bridges and gateways within the Metropolis of Lights. The boat journey for the delegations ends on the Iena Bridge, the place the Eiffel Tower sits on the Seine’s left financial institution. To the best, sits the Trocadéro district, the place the finale of the ceremony will happen.
Pop icon Woman Gaga’s efficiency got here part-way by way of the Opening Ceremony, along with her descending a gold staircase behind a plumage of pink feathers and her backup dancers in black. Gaga’s face was hid and solely her legs have been seen till the accompanying dancers pulled again the pom-poms to disclose her visage. She then sang the French-language “Mon Truc en Plume” (“My Factor With Feathers”), whereas finishing a choreographed routine.
The athletes floating down the Seine additionally handed underneath a footbridge that was remodeled right into a style runway, a tribute to Paris’ popularity as one of many world’s style capitals. An array of neon pink shirts, excessive style robes and avant-garde outfits crossed the footbridge as athletes and spectators took within the out of doors present.
French President Emmanuel Macron is about to ship an tackle to the gathered lots as a part of the evening’s proceedings.
Viewers within the US can watch the video games on NBC from about midnight PT/3 am ET to three pm PT/6 pm ET daily, plus a every day Olympic primetime present with behind-the-scenes seems and highlights from occasions.
