Opening Ceremony of the XXXIII Summer Olympic Games in Paris Breaks 100-Year Tradition, Costs France $9 Billion

The opening ceremony of the XXXIII Summer Olympic Games took place in the centre of Paris the night before, and the traditional parade of nations broke more than a century of tradition and for the first time in history was held not at a stadium but on the Seine River. The teams of all participating countries travelled along it in separate special boats, and the heavy rain did not deter 300,000 spectators on the banks of the Seine.

This Olympic extravaganza cost the French capital $9 billion.

Eighty Moulin Rouge dancers performed a can-can along the banks of the Seine, Lady Gaga descended the golden staircase in the cabaret scene, imitating Josephine Baker, decapitated Marie Antoinette appeared in the windows of palaces on the riverbank, and the mysterious hooded and masked figure of Arsène Lupin made his own way across the staggered roofs of Paris.

The grand event was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and IOC President Thomas Bach among the guests of honour. 

The opening ceremony began with a unique presentation of the teams of 206 participating countries, which sailed along the Seine River in 85 boats. 

The opening ceremony also featured opera singers, pianists, an orchestra and a choir. At the same time, impressive performances took place in various historical parts of Paris - on architectural monuments, in museums and other places of interest. One of the most striking was the laser show on the Eiffel Tower. 

The ceremony featured the use of artificial intelligence technologies: statues came to life on the viewers' screens, interactive images were drawn, and many amazing things happened. Along the Seine River, the parade was accompanied by shows by parkourists, skateboarders, acrobats, cyclists and breakdancers. An outrageous fashion show was organised on an improvised catwalk on one of the bridges in Paris. In addition, in support of the Paralympic Games following the Olympic Games, dance performances were demonstrated, in which people with disabilities took part.

In addition to artificial intelligence technologies, robotics were also used: a rider on an iron horse with movable legs ‘ran’ along the Seine to the Eiffel Tower. When she reached the centre stage, she carried the Olympic flag.

During the official part of the ceremony, the President of the French Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the President of the IOC and the President of the host country made speeches. Traditionally, the athletes also took their oaths.

From the start of the ceremony, the Olympic flame was carried across almost the whole of Paris - across rooftops, museums and historically important monuments. Even the rain that came to Paris that evening could not spoil this truly impressive ceremony, which will remain in the memory of everyone present in the stands along the Seine. The viewers watching on TV also got an incredible impression of the biggest event in the history of the Olympic Games.

The ceremony ended with the enchanting lighting of the Olympic flame by the titled French Olympians. The flame was lifted on a balloon that soared into the sky over Paris. The final chord was Celine Dion's unforgettable performance on the Eiffel Tower, which was followed by silence in the spectator stands. 

Everyone present was incredibly impressed by what they saw. The opening of the Olympic Games will be remembered forever by all those who had the honour of attending this event.

Today, 27 July, the first sets of medals will be awarded at the Olympic Games.