The iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris has been adorned with the five Olympic rings as the city prepares for the grand opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics. This multi-sport extravaganza officially kicks off on Friday, promising a spectacular start to the event.
The opening ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11:00 PM IST and will be available for live streaming and broadcast in India. In a departure from tradition, this year’s ceremony will not be held inside a stadium. Instead, the traditional Parade of Nations will take place along the Seine River, which flows through the heart of Paris.
According to Olympics.com, more than 10,000 Olympic athletes will be part of a unique floating parade on the Seine, passing by some of Paris’ most iconic landmarks, such as Notre Dame, Pont des Arts, and Pont Neuf, on approximately 100 boats. The parade will start from Austerlitz Bridge beside the Jardin des Plantes and conclude at the Trocadero, where the remaining Olympic-related protocols and shows will take place. The ceremony is expected to last over three hours.
French theatre director and actor Thomas Jolly is the artistic director overseeing the ceremonies for both the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.
India’s two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu and multi-time Olympic, Commonwealth, and Asian Games medalist Achanta Sharath Kamal will lead the Indian contingent as flag-bearers, proudly holding the tricolor flag.
