Paris games dazzle despite rain and rare criticism
27 July 2024 12:16
Emmanuel Macron was visibly delighted after the opening ceremony of the Games in Paris. "In 100 years, it will still be talked about," he wrote on X. The ceremony was indeed an event the world had never seen before. Nevertheless, there were some hiccups.
The French took the Games' opening ceremony to a completely different level. The event was held outside a stadium in the open air for the first time.
Paris Games opened. An extraordinary show in the pouring rain
They managed to put on an event that—despite threats posed by the modern world—gave the impression of being safe and free from visible precautions. The space was undoubtedly filled with secret service agents and armed guards, but this layer was completely invisible to spectators.
There was no shortage of emotional and moving moments. Comments summarising these experiences could be found online immediately after the ceremony concluded.
"Thank you to Thomas Jolly and his creative genius for this wonderful ceremony. Thank you to the artists for this exceptional and magical moment. Thank you to the police, emergency services, agents, and volunteers. Thank you to everyone who believed in it. In 100 years, it will still be talked about!"
"We did it!" Emmanuel Macron wrote after the conclusion of the opening ceremony. The President of France delivered a very brief speech on Friday evening, announcing the Games' opening.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also watched the event closely. The politician referred to the performance of Celine Dion, his compatriot, who sang for the audience gathered in Paris and in front of their televisions.
Celine Dion, in accordance with media speculation, appeared in Paris at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games. Few believed that the singer, after a long break from singing, would be able to perform at such an event.
"A performance we’ll never forget. Thank you, Céline," wrote Trudeau. Fans, who feared they would never see her on stage again, reacted similarly.
The artist also spoke out on social media. "Let the games begin! Sending love and luck to all competitors," the singer wrote on the X platform.
During the show on the Seine, there was an incident. French journalists reported that part of the audience booed the passing Israeli representation. Meanwhile, in the media, an eight-member team from Palestine wrote: "Out of the ashes, we always rise."
