A Dazzling Opening Along the Seine
The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024, held on July 26 along the River Seine, was an unprecedented spectacle. For the first time in Olympic history, the ceremony was held outside a stadium, featuring 85 boats carrying nearly 7,000 athletes from 205 countries along a 6-kilometer stretch of the Seine. Among the many highlights were two enigmatic figures: a masked torchbearer and a caped rider on a metal horse.
The enigmatic figures
The caped rider, dressed in a cape adorned with the Olympic rings, rode a motorized horse down the Seine. This Amazonian figure carried the Olympic flag from the Pont d’Iena to the Place du Trocadero, unfurling dove wings as she passed under bridges. The rider was revealed to be Floriane Issert, a non-commissioned officer in the Gendarmerie Nationale. Following her, a group of volunteers carried national flags, adding to the ceremony’s grandeur.
The Mysterious torchbearer
Adding to the intrigue was a masked torchbearer who made a dramatic appearance by leaping across rooftops and monuments. Dressed in a black cloak and mask, the torchbearer’s identity remained concealed throughout the event. Their journey culminated in a meeting with French football legend Zinedine Zidane, to whom they handed the torch before disappearing into the night.
A tribute to French culture
The ceremony, which began with a performance by Lady Gaga, celebrated French culture, history, and sport. Athletes from 205 National Olympic Committees (NOC) paraded along the Seine, passing iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Grand Palais. The opening ceremony set a captivating tone for the games, blending tradition with modernity in a truly Parisian fashion.
