The Paris 2024 Olympics will commence with a groundbreaking Opening Ceremony on the River Seine on Friday, July 26. This historic event marks the first time an Olympic Opening Ceremony will take place outside a traditional stadium, featuring an open-air parade along a 6km stretch of the river. India's involvement will enhance the magnificence of this international event.
Paris Olympics 2024 key highlights opening ceremony
Historic river parade
The parade will begin at Austerlitz Bridge and conclude at Trocadéro, in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower.
Performers will join the athletes on boats, enhancing the visual and cultural experience of the event. The ceremony will also include traditional Olympic protocol elements and final performances.
Indian contingent
Leading the Indian delegation will be PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist in badminton, and Sharath Kamal, a table tennis veteran competing in his fifth Olympics. They will each make history as the inaugural athletes from their respective sports to carry India's flag at an Olympic Opening Ceremony. The Indian contingent will consist of 112 athletes competing in 69 medal events across 16 sports, accompanied by five reserve athletes. The athletes will wear kurta bundi sets and saris designed by Tarun Tahiliani, featuring traditional ikat prints and Banarasi brocade in the tricolor of India’s flag.
2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony: Parade route and Olympic venues
Route overview
The parade will follow the Seine River from east to west, passing under several bridges and gateways, and circling two islands in the city center. Athletes on the boats will navigate past several Olympic venues, such as:
- La Concorde Urban Park: Hosts 3x3 basketball, breaking, BMX freestyle cycling, and skateboarding.
- Invalides: Hosts archery, marathon finish, and the time trial start for road cycling.
- Grand Palais: Hosts fencing and taekwondo.
Parade conclusion
The parade will finish at the Iena Bridge, which links the Eiffel Tower on the left bank to the Trocadéro district on the right bank. The concluding segment of the ceremony, featuring opening remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron, will be held at Trocadéro.
Paris 2024 Olympics: Participation and performances
Global participation
More than 10,000 athletes from 206 countries will join the river tour, highlighting iconic Parisian landmarks like Notre Dame Cathedral and Pont Neuf. Greece will be the first nation introduced, followed by the Refugee Olympic Team. Team GB will be represented by flag bearers diver Tom Daley and rower Helen Glover.
Performers and artistic direction
Canadian singer Celine Dion and French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura are among the rumored performers. The artistic director, Thomas Jolly, aims to highlight France's diversity and cultural richness through the ceremony. His vision is to showcase the country's historical influences and its role as a source of global inspiration.
Paris Olympics 2024 watch online
Start time in India
- The Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony will begin at 11:00 PM IST (Indian Standard Time) in India.
Broadcast and streaming
- Viewers in India can catch the live broadcast on Sports18 1 SD and Sports18 1 HD TV channels. Additionally, free live streaming will be available on Jio Cinema.
Paris Olympics event summary
Key Information
| Details
|
Date
| Friday, July 26, 2024
|
Location
| River Seine, Paris
|
Start Time (IST)
| 11 PM
|
Indian Flag Bearers
| PV Sindhu, Sharath Kamal
|
Indian Athletes
| 112 athletes, 69 medal events, 16 sports
|
Broadcast in India
| Sports18 1 SD, Sports18 1 HD
|
Live Streaming in India
| Jio Cinema
|
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