The Paris 2024 Olympics, also known as the “Paris Games,” commenced with a grand opening ceremony featuring performances by world-renowned singers Lady Gaga and Céline Dion. The ceremony, which lasted a full four hours, was held amidst a steady rain and was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, and global leaders.
Athletes from 206 countries paraded along the Seine River in a 6-kilometer journey, with Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics, leading the procession. This was followed by the Refugee Olympic Team and concluded with the host nation, France. The Thai delegation, appearing on the 76th boat as the 184th nation, was led by flag bearers “Bew” Puripol Boonson, a recent silver medalist in the 100 meters at the Asian Games, and 12-year-old skateboarder “Nong ST” Waririya Sukhasem.
The ceremony’s performances were highlighted by Lady Gaga’s opening act, followed by cultural showcases blending French traditions, beliefs, and global events at iconic Parisian landmarks. French singer Aya Nakamura performed alongside an orchestra and a host of French singers and artists.
The torch relay was a focal point of the ceremony. It began with French football legend Zinedine Zidane, a member of the 1998 World Cup-winning team, who handed the torch to Rafael Nadal, former world No. 1 tennis player and 14-time French Open champion from Spain. The torch journey continued along the Seine, carried by Serena Williams, former world No. 1 American tennis player; Carl Lewis, nine-time Olympic gold medalist American sprinter; Nadia Comăneci, legendary Romanian gymnast; and Amélie Mauresmo, former world No. 1 French tennis player and two-time Grand Slam champion.
The relay concluded with French judo star Teddy Riner, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, and Marie-José Pérec, a former French sprinter and three-time Olympic gold medalist. They together lit the Olympic flame in a large balloon that ascended over 30 meters into the sky.
The ceremony culminated with Céline Dion, the 56-year-old Canadian singer known for “My Heart Will Go On,” who has been battling Stiff-Person Syndrome since 2022. She performed “Hymne à l’amour,” a classic song by the late French icon Edith Piaf, atop the Eiffel Tower. This marked her return to the Olympic stage after her performance at the 1996 Atlanta Games, signaling the official start of the Paris 2024 Olympics. More than 10,500 athletes will compete for 329 gold medals across 32 sports until August 11.
