The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games commenced shortly after 20:30 Greek time (19:30 French time). During this grand event, French President Emmanuel Macron will officially proclaim the Games open around 22:30 Greek time, as reported by the French news agency AFP, before the Olympic Flame is lit to shine until the closing ceremony on August 11.
For the first time in Olympic history, the ceremony is being held outside a stadium, spanning six kilometers along the Seine River up to the Eiffel Tower. This innovative approach aims to captivate billions of spectators worldwide.
The ceremony includes a naval parade, followed by speeches at the Place du Trocadéro from Tony Estanguet, chairman of the Organizing Committee, and IOC President Thomas Bach. President Macron will then officially open the Games, leading to the French flag-bearers Florent Manaudou and Melina Robert-Michon taking the Olympic oath, a tradition dating back to 1920.
Source: ANA-MPA, A. Vazogiannis / Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas