Paris Olympics lift off with extravagant opening ceremony

The Paris Olympics began with a lavish opening event on Friday evening, featuring a procession of boats carrying 10,500 athletes down the Seine River. This outdoor version of the ceremony was anticipated to be viewed by one billion people.

Before the event, a criminal sabotage incident disrupted France's high-speed rail network, causing chaos in transportation across the country. Shortly after, heavy rain started pouring down during the three-hour show, causing difficulties for the planners of the performance. The show included a large cast of dancers, two orchestras, and popular singers like Lady Gaga performing a cabaret-style song.

Prior to the ceremony, Gérald Darmanin, the interior minister, stated that they were prepared for the grand event and had not identified any specific threats. He also mentioned that the railway sabotage would not directly impact the Olympics or the ceremony.

In the afternoon, there were long lines of people with tickets waiting to enter the secure area along the Seine River. Around 320,000 spectators were expected to gather on the old-fashioned cobblestone docks. The event needed a lot of security, with 45,000 police officers on duty both on the ground and in the air. They used helicopters, drones, and snipers stationed on rooftops to keep everyone safe.

The challenging weather conditions also put the experienced ship captains to the test as they led the parade, ensuring that they maintained the right speed to stay in formation. Some onlookers sought shelter as heavy rain began to fall.

President Emmanuel Macron welcomed over 100 world leaders at Trocadero square near the Eiffel Tower for a final parade and a show by popular French singer Céline Dion. Jill Biden, the wife of the US president, and other important figures were also present at a reception held at the Elysée Palace before the event.

The concept for this bold beginning originated from Thierry Reboul, an event expert famous for attention-grabbing promotional strategies. However, executing it required the involvement of over 15,000 performers, technicians, and firework experts.

The show showcased ballet dancers dancing on top of the Louvre, while many contemporary dancers and breakdancers showcased their skills along the riverbanks and on a few boats. The performers wore custom-made costumes created by French designers, and Louis Vuitton suitcases from LVMH were prominently featured in a large portion of the performance. LVMH, led by Bernard Arnault, was a sponsor of the Olympics.

The event planners had to reduce certain features, like the BMX riders scheduled to perform tricks on a ramp, due to the rain making it too slick.

Reboul proposed the idea of the river ceremony to Tony Estanguet, the leader of the Paris organizing committee. Estanguet was initially surprised but quickly became excited about the ambitious and daring idea. He described it as totally crazy and thrilling.

Reboul had a moment of inspiration while walking along the Seine, the winding river where the Parisii tribe established their settlement around 2,000 years ago. He thought to himself, "This is the perfect location, it has to be here, nowhere else."

The event planners brought in Thomas Jolly, a 42-year-old theater director famous for his work on a musical called Starmania. He began brainstorming ways to capture the essence of France through its literature, culture, and history. "Normally I create shows on a stage, but this time the whole city was my playground," he shared with journalists recently.

Jolly brought on board a group of professionals that he has collaborated with for many years. This team included a talented musical director, choreographer, and costume designer who are well-known in their respective industries. Additionally, he enlisted the help of author Leila Slimani, scriptwriter Fanny Herrero (known for creating the show Call My Agent!), and other contributors to assist in writing the 12 scenes that comprise the ceremony.

Prior to beginning their writing process, they would go on lengthy strolls along the Seine River to find inspiration. They conducted research on the historical background of the bridges spanning the river, including Pont Neuf, which was completed during the reign of King Henry IV in 1607, and Pont d’Austerlitz, which was ordered by Napoleon Bonaparte and will serve as the starting point for the parade.

"We delved into the history of every site and landmark: nearly every stone shares a story about France's history, Paris' history, a history that is intertwined with the rest of the world," he explained.

However, Jolly and Estanguet made sure that the focus remained on the athletes rather than on any dramatic performances. They placed the athletes at the forefront by providing them with prime viewing locations on the decks of the boats along the river.

Estanguet remarked that the athletes are the main stars of the event.

While exact figures were not disclosed by officials, French news outlets indicated that the ceremony had a price tag of approximately €120 million, which is around four times the cost of the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Games. The total expenses for the Paris Games, which focused on sustainability by utilizing existing infrastructure, are anticipated to be between €9-10 billion, as estimated by the country's auditor. Sponsors are set to cover about one-third of the total expenses.

Jolly's performance was full of unforgettable, quirky scenes: a mysterious person jumping over the rooftops of Paris, drag performers moving to electronic music, historical figures from the French revolution accompanied by hard rock music, and a shiny horse with a rider in armor floating along the Seine River.

Excitement erupted when French football legend Zinedine Zidane handed over the spotlight to tennis star Rafel Nadal.

The show ended with a big light display coming from the Eiffel Tower, followed by a torch relay to the Louvre and a hot air balloon carrying an Olympic flame going up into the dark sky.

Surrounded by the iconic Eiffel tower, popular Canadian singer Céline Dion took the stage for her first performance in a long time due to illness. She stunned the audience in a stunning white dress adorned with 500 meters of fringe, specially designed by the fashion house Dior. Céline mesmerized the crowd as she sang Edith Piaf's classic tune, Hymne à l'amour.

Macron announced the start of the Paris games.

More information was gathered by Adrienne Klasa for this blog post.