Opening Ceremony The Paris 2024 Olympics opened with a spectacular ceremony at Stade de France, celebrating French culture and the Olympic spirit. The event featured a stunning display of lights, music and performances, setting a festive tone for the games. Here's why the Paris 2024 Olympics are set to be an unforgettable spectacle!
Celine Dion returns in stunning fashion
Céline Dion returned to the stage at the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony, performing "L’Hymne à l’amour" after a four-year break due to stiff person syndrome. This rare condition causes muscle spasms and rigidity. Despite her health challenges, Dion delivered a moving performance, thrilling the audience gathered at the Eiffel Tower. The event marked a hopeful moment in her recovery, as she expressed gratitude towards her medical team. The performance was a highlight of the ceremony, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.
Early Wins
Swimming: The pool witnessed multiple records being shattered, with standout performances from athletes like Katie Ledecky (USA) and Ariarne Titmus (Australia).
Gymnastics: Japan's Kohei Uchimura and Russia's Angelina Melnikova impressed with their routines, setting the stage for fierce competition in the coming days.
Cycling: The first gold medal was awarded in men's road cycling, with a thrilling finish highlighting the day's events.
Venues and Infrastructure
Paris is pulling out all the stops to make these games memorable. Key venues include:
Stade de France: This iconic stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies, along with athletics events.
Champs-Élysées: This famous avenue will host the cycling road races, providing a scenic and challenging route for competitors.
Seine River: A unique feature of the Paris Games, the Seine will host open water swimming and triathlon events.
La Défense Arena: This modern facility will host gymnastics events.
New Sports Debuts
The Paris Games will introduce several new sports, bringing fresh excitement to the Olympic program. Among them are:
Breaking (Breakdancing): Making its debut, breaking will showcase athletes' creativity, strength, and agility.
Sport Climbing: Athletes will compete in speed, bouldering, and lead climbing disciplines.
Surfing: This sport will take place at Teahupo'o in Tahiti, one of the world's most challenging surf spots.
Skateboarding: Continuing its success from Tokyo 2020, skateboarding will feature street and park events.