The Paris 2024 Olympics will officially commence with a historic Opening Ceremony on the river Seine on Friday, July 26, featuring India’s participation. This marks the beginning of 16 days of elite competition across 32 disciplines. For the first time in Olympic history, the opening ceremony will take place outside a traditional stadium, opting instead for an open-air parade along a 6km stretch of the River Seine. The parade will start at Austerlitz Bridge and culminate at Trocadéro, in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower, where the remaining elements of the Olympic protocol and final shows will take place. Performers will join the delegations and passengers on the boats, adding to the spectacle and grandeur of the event.
PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, and table tennis veteran Sharath Kamal, set to compete in his fifth Olympics, will lead the Indian contingent at the Paris 2024 Parade of Nations. They will be the first athletes from their respective sports to serve as India’s flag-bearers at an Olympic Opening Ceremony. In Paris, a total of 112 athletes from India will compete in 69 medal events across 16 sports, with five reserve athletes also participating. During the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, the Indian men will wear kurta bundi sets, and the women will don matching saris, reflecting the tricolour of India’s flag. The outfits, featuring traditional ikat-inspired prints and Banarasi brocade, have been designed by Tarun Tahiliani.
The parade will start at the Austerlitz Bridge, next to the Jardin des Plantes, and follow the Seine River from east to west. It will wind around two islands in the city center, passing under several bridges and gateways. Athletes aboard the boats will see various Olympic venues, including La Concorde Urban Park (3×3 basketball, breaking, BMX freestyle cycling, skateboarding), Invalides (archery, marathon finish, time trial start for road cycling), and the Grand Palais (fencing, taekwondo). The parade will conclude at the Iena Bridge, which connects the Eiffel Tower on the left bank to the Trocadéro district on the right bank. The ceremony’s finale will take place at the Trocadéro, where French President Emmanuel Macron will deliver the opening remarks, among other ceremonial activities.
Over 10,000 athletes representing 206 countries will participate in the river tour, showcasing Parisian landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral and Pont Neuf. The ceremony will also include French President Emmanuel Macron officially opening the Games and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron with the Olympic flame. As per tradition, Greece will be the first nation introduced during the ceremony, followed by the Refugee Olympic Team. Team GB’s joint flag bearers will be diver Tom Daley and rower Helen Glover, who have collectively won three gold medals in previous Games.
Much of the ceremony’s details have been kept under wraps, adding to the anticipation and excitement. A staggering 326,000 tickets have been sold to spectators who will line the Seine to witness this historic event. “I’d like to show France in all its diversity,” said Thomas Jolly, the ceremony’s artistic director. “Illustrate the richness and plurality shaped by its history, which has been influenced and inspired by the diverse cultures that have passed through it, while itself serving as a source of inspiration.”
Various performers will be involved at all stages of the Paris 2024 opening ceremony, including on the individual boats during the parade. Canadian singer Celine Dion has arrived in Paris, fueling rumors of her participation in the ceremony. French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra hinted that Dion’s presence in Paris is not coincidental. Another prominent name linked to the event is French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura. Reports suggested she might perform an Edith Piaf song, which unfortunately led to a racist backlash. Renowned stage director Thomas Jolly has been appointed as the artistic director for the various Paris 2024 ceremonies. His vision aims to highlight France’s diversity and cultural richness.
The Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony will start at 11:00 PM IST (Indian Standard Time) in India. Fans in India can watch the live telecast of the Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony on Sports18 1 SD and Sports18 1 HD TV channels. Free live streaming will be available on Jio Cinema.
