Paris 2024: "A parade of athletes on 160 boats on the Seine will open the ceremony" (T. Estanguet)

"How do you contribute to a global event when you are organising the 33^rd Games in history? In order to offer added value, we needed a breakthrough. I therefore invite you to meet me on the Seine (river in Paris, FRA) on (Friday) 26/07/2024 for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games: the Seine will be the track and the parade of athletes on approximately 160 boats will open the ceremony," declared Tony Estanguet, president of Paris 2024, on 13/12/2021.

For the first time, the opening ceremony will not be held in a stadium, but in the heart of the city. The Paris 2024 Board of Directors has approved the venue and concept for 13/12/2021: the ceremony, which will begin at around 20:00 CET and end at around midnight, will take the form of a six-km journey from east to west in Paris, along the Seine, between the bridges, pont d’Austerlitz and pont d’Iéna (file available to download).

"The river, its bridges and the capital's emblematic monuments will be the backdrop for a unique show, which will magnify the city in the eyes of several hundred million television viewers. With this…