Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony: The Paris 2024 Olympics will begin with a historic Opening Ceremony on the River Seine on Friday, July 26. The ceremony will start at 11:00 PM IST and can be watched live on TV and online in India.
Key Highlights:
- Historic Event: The Paris 2024 Olympics will officially kick off with a historic Opening Ceremony.
- Start Time: The ceremony will start at 11:00 PM IST.
- Unique Location: For the first time in Olympic history, the opening ceremony will take place outside a traditional stadium, opting for an open-air parade along a 6km stretch of the River Seine.
- Parade of Nations: The traditional Parade of Nations will take place along the River Seine.
Event Details
The Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony will mark the beginning of 16 days of elite competition across 32 disciplines. The parade will start at Austerlitz Bridge and culminate at Trocadéro, in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower. Performers will join the delegations and passengers on the boats, adding to the spectacle and grandeur of the event.
Indian Participation:
- Flag Bearers: PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, and table tennis veteran Sharath Kamal will lead the Indian contingent. They will be the first athletes from their respective sports to serve as India’s flag-bearers at an Olympic Opening Ceremony.
- Athlete Count: A total of 112 athletes from India will compete in 69 medal events across 16 sports, with five reserve athletes also participating.
- Attire: The Indian men will wear kurta bundi sets, and the women will don matching saris, reflecting the tricolour of India’s flag. The outfits, featuring traditional ikat-inspired prints and Banarasi brocade, have been designed by Tarun Tahiliani.
Ceremony Location
The parade starts at the Austerlitz Bridge, next to the Jardin des Plantes, and follows the Seine River from east to west. It winds around two islands in the city center, passing under several bridges and gateways. The ceremony’s finale takes place at the Trocadéro, where French President Emmanuel Macron will deliver the opening remarks, among other ceremonial activities.
Full Coverage: Paris Olympics 2024
Indian Leaders:
- PV Sindhu and Sharath Kamal: Badminton star PV Sindhu and table tennis veteran Sharath Kamal will lead the Indian contingent.
Athlete Participation:
- Global Participation: Over 10,000 athletes representing 206 countries will participate in the river tour, showcasing Parisian landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral and Pont Neuf. The ceremony will also include French President Emmanuel Macron officially opening the Games and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron with the Olympic flame. As per tradition, Greece will be the first nation introduced during the ceremony, followed by the Refugee Olympic Team. Team GB’s joint flag bearers will be diver Tom Daley and rower Helen Glover.
Performers:
- Celine Dion and Aya Nakamura: Various performers will be involved at all stages of the Paris 2024 opening ceremony, including on the individual boats during the parade. Rumors suggest Canadian singer Celine Dion and French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura might perform.
Artistic Direction:
- Thomas Jolly: Renowned stage director Thomas Jolly has been appointed as the artistic director for the various Paris 2024 ceremonies. His vision aims to highlight France’s diversity and cultural richness.
Viewing Details
Start Time in India:
- The Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony will start at 11:00 PM IST.
Where to Watch:
- TV Broadcast: Fans in India can watch the live telecast on Sports18 1 SD and Sports18 1 HD TV channels.
- Live Streaming: Free live streaming will be available on Jio Cinema
