Flotilla on Seine, Rain and Celine Dion Mark Start of Paris Olympics
Editor
27 July 2024 12:00 WIB
WELCOMED IN TAHITI
A mix of French and international stars, including soccer great Zinedine Zidane, 14-times French Open champion Rafa Nadal, 23-times Grand Slam champion Serena Williams and three paralympic athletes were among the last torchbearers before the cauldron was lit.
It will blaze until the closing ceremony on Aug. 11.
At the start of the parade, applause erupted for the Greek boat - the first delegation, by tradition - and there were even bigger cheers for the boat that followed, carrying the refugees' team. The French, U.S., and Ukrainian delegations also got loud cheers.
The two most decorated athletes in the Games' history, Michael Phelps and Martin Fourcade, unveiled the gold, silver, and bronze medals.
At one point, there was a live crossover to the early morning welcome ceremony at the surfing venue, 16,000 km away on the Pacific island of Tahiti.
Read more:
2024 Paris Olympics: Palestine Slams OIC 'Double Standards' over Israel's Participation
ISRAEL DELEGATION
France is at its highest level of security, though officials have repeatedly said there was no specific threat to the opening ceremony or the Games.
But since the last Games - the Winter Olympics held in Beijing in 2022 - wars have erupted in Ukraine and Gaza, providing a tense international backdrop.
Israeli competitors are being escorted by elite tactical units to and from events and are given 24-hour protection throughout the Olympics due to the war in Gaza, officials say.
The Israel delegation got some boos, but also a lot of cheers, as it sailed by spectators, Reuters reporters saw. Chants of "Palestine! Palestine! Palestine!" rose from the crowd as the boat passed.
Macron, who won a second mandate two years ago, had hoped the Olympics would cement his legacy. But his failed bet on a snap legislative election has weakened him and cast a shadow over his moment on the international stage.
($1 = 0.9212 euros)
REUTERS
Editor's Choice: Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony Faces Rainfall 'Disaster'
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
