The famous French football star Zinedine Zidane was seen running across Paris In a pre-recorded video, he carries the torch to the broken-down subway, handing it to young children riding a boat across the Seine.
A huge police presence was deployed in Paris just hours after a sabotage attack on the country’s high-speed rail network, exposing security risks at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. The coordinated attacks caused major disruption to some of France’s busiest rail lines and highlighted security risks at a time when all eyes are on the country.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which took place far from Paris and other Olympic cities.
fleet of boats
The ceremony involves a flotilla of boats carrying nearly 7,000 athletes on the river near some of Paris’ most famous landmarks. A huge plume of blue, white and red smoke rose above a bridge over the river as the ceremony got underway. “We’re so excited, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” said 17-year-old Alize Boukras.
“It’s a great opportunity to be here,” said nine-year-old Manu, who was preparing to watch the ceremony with his mother.
It had been raining intermittently earlier in the day in Paris, with forecasters predicting heavy rain so heavy that one called it a “disaster” for the outdoor concert. “The rain won’t stop me from cheering on the Olympics, sport is everything to me and I’ll do anything to see it,” said Flavia Merluzzi, an agriculture student.
Details have been kept under wraps, including which performers will perform and who will be the last torchbearer to light the Olympic cauldron to mark the start of the Games. But in a hint of what could happen, a Reuters reporter saw pop star Lady Gaga in the heart of Paris singing a 20th-century French classic. Amid rumours that Canadian singer Celine Dion could also perform, spectator Chantal Bouvier said it would be “magical” to watch her.
This is the first time the Olympic opening ceremony has been held outside a stadium.
Geopolitical tensions
Some 45,000 police and thousands of soldiers were deployed in a massive security operation in Paris to secure the opening ceremony. After the last Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022, war broke out in Ukraine and Gaza, making the Olympics take place in a tense atmosphere.
France has imposed its highest security alert, although officials have repeatedly said there is no specific threat to the opening ceremony or the competitions. At the same time, officials said elite security units are escorting Israeli athletes to and from competitions and providing them with 24-hour protection throughout the Olympics.
Dozens of world leaders will attend the opening ceremony, which will be protected by snipers on rooftops and Paris airspace will be closed.
For the games in general, radar surveillance aircraft and Reaper drones will be watching from above, and Mirage 2000 fighter jets will be on standby to intercept aircraft entering closed airspace.
“Everything is ready,” French President Emmanuel Macron, who won a second term two years ago, said in a video posted on the social networking site X. “Even the rings are there. Enjoy the Games!” he added, overlooking the Eiffel Tower.
Macron hopes the Olympics will cement his legacy, but his failed bet on early legislative elections has weakened him and cast a shadow over his much-anticipated historic moment on the international stage.
More than 10,500 athletes will compete in the Olympic Games, 100 years after Paris last hosted the Summer Games. Competitions kicked off last Wednesday, and the first of 329 gold medals will be awarded tomorrow, Saturday. The closing ceremony will be held on August 11.