Jump to content

2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony

Coordinates: 48°51′24″N 2°21′8″E / 48.85667°N 2.35222°E / 48.85667; 2.35222
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 85.76.131.230 (talk) at 08:03, 30 July 2024 (Commentators and hosts). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

2024 Summer Olympics
opening ceremony
Date26 July 2024 (2024-07-26)
Time19:30 – 23:30 CEST (UTC+2)[1]
VenueJardins du Trocadéro
Seine River
LocationParis, France
Coordinates48°51′24″N 2°21′8″E / 48.85667°N 2.35222°E / 48.85667; 2.35222
Filmed byOlympic Broadcasting Services (OBS)

The opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics took place on 26 July across Paris, beginning at 19:30 CEST (17:30 UTC). As mandated by the Olympic Charter, the proceedings included an artistic program showcasing the culture of the host country and city, the parade of athletes and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron. The Games were formally opened by the president of France, Emmanuel Macron. The ceremony marked the 130th anniversary of the International Olympic Committee, the centenary of the 1924 Summer Olympics, and the 235th anniversary of the French Revolution.

Directed by Thomas Jolly, the opening ceremony was held outside of a stadium for the first time in modern Olympic history. Athletes were paraded by boat along the Seine to a temporary venue at Jardins du Trocadéro, where the official protocols took place. The parade was interspersed with the artistic programme, which was divided into twelve acts reflecting the culture of France and its history, and took place at Paris landmarks such as Notre-Dame, Conciergerie, Musée d'Orsay, and the Eiffel Tower. The ceremony featured musical performances by French musicians such as Gojira, Aya Nakamura, Philippe Katerine, and Juliette Armanet, and international musicians Lady Gaga and Celine Dion.

The ceremony received mixed reviews, with many praising its artistic segments, musical performances, and grand finale, but criticising the length of the ceremony and other production issues brought upon by the format. The ceremony's use of camp elements received a varying reception. A segment involving drag queens that was variously claimed to depict a feast with Dionysus—the ancient Greek god of wine—or a parody of The Last Supper was widely criticised by the Christian right and religious leaders, who alleged that it was mocking Christianity.

On the same day of the opening ceremony, a series of arson attacks damaged the lines of the French railway system.[2] International and domestic rail services were widely disrupted,[3] with around 800,000 passengers affected.[4] There was also an attempted attack on LGV Sud-Est line, though it was interrupted by TGV maintenance workers who happened to be on site.[5]

Preparations

Planning was expected to finalise by the end of 2023, with certain rehearsals occurring in other venues without the public before the event, while in specific situations, some were carried out on-site, which were considered as "teasers" by Thierry Reboul, the Brand, Creativity and Engagement Executive Director for the Games. The first camera test shots were done in September 2023 and coverage of the event was expected to be provided by 130 cameras.[6] The event was broadcast to 80 giant screens along the route of the Seine.[7] Organised by theatre actor and director Thomas Jolly, it was the first opening ceremony held outside of an Olympic stadium since the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics held in Buenos Aires.[7][8] The choreography was created by Maud Le Pladec [fr].[9]

Attendees were originally expected to be upwards of 500,000 people,[6] non-paying and an additional 100,000 paying spectators on the lower quays of the river,[10] for an expected total of 600,000.[11] However, after a suggestion in May 2023 by Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the French Minister for Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, that this be limited to between 300,000 and 400,000 free of charge, and after additional concerns of security and transportation, the figure was reduced to a maximum of 300,000 in late November 2023.[10] In late December 2023, a further reduction was posited, as security services would have preferred the ceremony in a stadium to facilitate implementing security measures.[12] The bleachers stretched from the François Mitterrand Library to the Eiffel Tower.[10]

The public lined the banks of the Seine, sitting on a 6-kilometre (3.7 mi) stretch on the upper and lower quays as well of rivers that cross each side of the river.[6][7] The organising team counted between 6,000 and 8,000 personnel. The ceremony itself had originally projected 2,000 dancers,[6] but this was lowered to 400 dancers out of 3,000 performers total.[13] All personnel involved in water, air and land performances in total numbered 45,000, with an average of per 3,750 people per square kilometre (9,700/sq mi).[12] This figure does not include the roughly 2,000 security agents required to monitor the entry tents of paid ticketholders and law enforcement located on the elevated docks throughout the course.[12] The cast and athletes started their travel on the river from the Pont d'Austerlitz to the Pont d'Iena, in front of the Eiffel Tower and the Jardins du Trocadéro, where the main protocol was held.[11] The closest the general public could get to the athletes and parade on the Seine were on docked party and restaurant boats.[13]

In May 2023, tickets for the event went on sale via ballot for the first time, with prices ranging from €90 to €2,700,[14] with the latter being the most expensive tickets overall for the Games.[15]

In 2023, plans were made to remove the riverside book stalls during the Opening Ceremony and in November 2023 a number of book stalls were dismantled.[16] However, in February 2024 President Macron shelved the plan to remove the booksellers.[17]

Bleachers along the Seine prior to the ceremony parade

The total number of boats and barges was near 160,[18] with around 58 taking part in a reduced rehearsal carried out in July 2023, carrying athlete delegations, television crews and emergency services.[8] 7,000[19] of the 10,500 athletes were expected to take part,[20] with 6,800 who actually ended up participating.[21] In April 2023, 116 vessels from 42 river companies had been committed, with an expected 98% of all boats to be used being based in Paris and the rest from regional boat companies, including local sponsor Highfield Boats. A number of the boats that ferried athletes are Bateaux Mouches French pronunciation: [bato muʃ] that routinely sail the Seine.[14]

In February 2024, it was announced the number of spectators to attend the opening ceremony would be reduced from the proposed 600,000 spectators to around 300,000. There were 100,000 paid tickets for the ceremony, with around 200,000 free tickets.[22][23] The next month an exact amount of 326,000 tickets was stated, with 104,000 paid tickets for the lowest bank and 222,000 free tickets for the higher banks.[24] The free tickets were distributed in three rounds and aimed at families with low incomes living in underprivileged areas, sports movements, young people, and people helping to organise the Olympics, including traders and city workers.[25] As originally proposed, no free tickets were given to tourists.[26]

The rehearsal of the ceremony, which was scheduled for 24 June 2024, was postponed due to a strong flow in the Seine River.[27] It was rescheduled for 16 July 2024.[28]

Thierry Reboul, also the Director of Ceremonies, claimed that the inspiration came in 2019 when he was walking along the river,[29] however, the route had previously been decided by the COJOP2024 in its bid,[30] since Estanguet wished to "throw away the rule book".[29] Parisian mayor Anne Hidalgo assembled a committee to develop the creative aspects of the ceremony before COJOP2024 hired a creative director. The committee's chair, Patrick Boucheron, would eventually be one of the four individuals hired by Jolly to develop the script. Even before being chosen to plan the ceremony, Jolly had "dreamed of delegations arriving by hot air balloon, a French invention, and of the heads of dead kings rising from the Seine to watch the ceremony", yet this idea was not implemented.[30] Thomas Jolly and four scriptwriters planned the ceremony. They wore puffer jackets while going out on boats along the river from the Austerlitz Bridge to the Eiffel Tower. After these excursions, they spent nine months writing the ceremony.[19] They took inspiration from the history of Paris,[19] and its main themes consisted of love and "shared humanity".[30]

After determining 12 scenes of French history to represent, Jolly hired four subdirectors to develop the music, costumes and choreography of the event.[30] Daphné Bürki and Olivier Bériot were in charge of costumes while Maud Le Pladec [fr] was entrusted the choreography and dance,[31] with Victor Le Masne [fr], who developed the Olympic theme for the opening and closing ceremonies in three seconds, as the musical director.[32] Certain elements were not able to be implemented such as having performers lean out of the Hôtel-Dieu, Paris decommissioned hospital building due to asbestos. Other plans that did not go through included a performance that would take place near fish hatchery by the Béthune Quay on the bank of the Seine which was not to be disturbed, and mass dancers on a bridge that would have caused its collapse, with an undisclosed scene being reworked 73 times by May 2024.[30] In total, 3,000 performers took part, with at least 400 of these being dancers.[13]

Since the water level would rise or fall depending on the weather, the organisers developed "software to cast the route in 3-D so he could visualize high and low water levels, rain, even storms".[30]

Safety measures

In October 2023, following security concerns caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the 2023 Israel–Hamas war and the Arras school stabbing, both the French government and the Paris Organising Committee for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games (COJOP2024) stated there were no official plans to relocate, stating that "Plan A takes into account all of the threats". Oudéa-Castréa stated on BFM TV that they were paying attention to context and the government had been working on "adjustment variables", wishing to maintain the original format.[10] In December 2023, President Macron stated that there were multiple scenarios for the ceremony, in case of a major security event which would force it to move from the Seine. On this, COJOP2024 stated they had "contingency plans for all identified risk scenarios: heatwaves, cyberattacks, and the ceremony is no exception".[11] In April 2024 President Macron announced that in case of a terrorism threat, there was a plan B, and even plan C; in that case the Opening Ceremony would be moved to the Trocadero square or to the Stade de France stadium.[33] Nevertheless, Christophe Dubi, the IOC Olympic Games executive director, stated the previous month of March that a change to the Stade de France would be unlikely due to the event being "too big, too sophisticated, too complex artistically to look at a Plan B in another location".[20]

In April 2024, it was announced all buildings with a view of the Seine would have extra anti-terrorism protection.[34] Several areas near the Seine river, metro stations and adjacent museums including the Louvre, Orsay and the Museum of Decorative Arts would be closed.[34]

Being the largest ever security operation in France,[29] after the closure of bridges from 8 July 2024, 18 days ahead of the Opening Ceremony, a security perimeter was placed around the ceremony site from 18 July, 8 days ahead of the Ceremony.[33][35] The perimeter included, among others, prohibition of motorised access, controlled access for pedestrians with people within the perimeter subjected to a personal "Games pass".[35] All airports and airspace in a 90 miles (140 km) radius would be closed during the ceremony, and 45,000 security officers, including over 2,000 foreign police, would be stationed in Paris during the ceremony.[20]

On the day of the event, spectators faced long queues as well as ticketing obstacles. Many of the gates opened over an hour later than previously scheduled due to a lack of scanners to process all tickets.[36]

Ceremony key team

Thomas Jolly, artistic director of the opening ceremony

Commentators and hosts

Protocolar elements and torch relay

The Parade of Nations, during which the expected number of 10,500 participating athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees participate categorised by their respective delegation,[7] took place on the Seine, with other ceremonial events being held at the Jardins du Trocadéro.[1][49]

The Parade had as its main inspiration Jean-Paul Goude's 200th anniversary parade of the French Revolution on Bastille Day in 1989 which was described in comparison as "an anti-national festival that rolled all of us into a "worldwide melting pot, with an optimism that we've lost today".[50] Taking inspiration from the homonym of the French for "stage" (scène) and the river Seine, the artistic portion of the event depicted 12 scenes from French history.[30] It was expected to be the grandest event on the Seine in 285 years since the celebrations organised by Louis XV for his daughter's wedding with Philip, Duke of Parma in 1739.[30] President Macron stated that the ceremony would include a "great story of emancipation and freedom", marking events from the French Revolution to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the latter signed at the exact same place the ceremony ends, the Palais de Chaillot.[19]

Gérald Darmanin, Minister of the Interior, had estimated that 25,000 security agents would be required and that around 35,000 police officers would be deployed for the opening ceremony.[14][1]

The 80-day Olympic torch relay for the Olympic flame was organised by COJOP2024 president Tony Estanguet. It was lit in Olympia, Greece, on 16 April 2024,[51] travelling through Greece for the following 10 days before being handed to COJOP2024 on 26 April at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. It left Piraeus aboard the sailing ship Belem and arrived at Marseille on 8 May 2024 under the escort of 1,000 boats.[52][53]

Proceedings

Programme

Locations of each segment along the Seine:
1
Prologue
2
Enchanté
3
Synchronicité
4
Liberté
5
Egalité
6
Fraternité
7
Sororité
8
Sportivité
9
Festivité
10
Obscurité
11
Solidarité
12
Solennité
13
Eternité


Entry to the venues opened at 17:30 CEST with the ceremony starting two hours later at 19:30 CEST.[36] Most of the ceremony took place under the rain, the first Summer Olympics opening ceremony to be held under the rain since Helsinki's in 1952.[54]

Prologue

After everyone was seated and the Olympic torch relay ended its metropolitan leg around the area surrounding the Stade de France, the event began with a pre-recorded video (with footage of past opening ceremonies of the Games) of comedian Jamel Debbouze carrying the flame into an empty Stade de France, having not realised that the ceremony would be held outside the stadium. Interspersed were clips of newscasters reporting that the ceremony would be along the Seine after he arrives inside the stadium. He is approached by footballer Zinedine Zidane, who takes the torch through the city streets, attracting the attention of a trio of children, representing the three times Paris has hosted the Games, then he heads into the Paris Métro. Before the train can leave the station, it breaks down, prompting Zidane to pass the torch to the children through the train window.

After traversing the Catacombs of Paris and the underground lake beneath the Palais Garnier, the children are approached by a hooded and masked torchbearer who is rowing a boat. The masked torchbearer represented several masked French heroes, such as Arsène Lupin and the Phantom of the Opera among others, as well as the Olympic spirit, and Sequana, the goddess of the Seine.[13] The figure was also compared to the French video game company Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise characters' hoods and parkour action, especially to Arno Dorian, who appears in the 2014 instalment Assassin's Creed Unity set during the French Revolution.[55] The trio climb aboard and as they begin their journey to the outside world, the camera pans up to the Trocadéro stage to reveal Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee and Emmanuel Macron, president of the French Republic, already seated as they stand up to welcome the crowd. After that, the boat rows through a tunnel, revealing a light that shines to reveal the phrase "Ça ira" as the boat arrived, traversing the Seine. The masked torchbearer then appeared between segments in pre-recorded scenes, on the Seine and the rooftops of Paris, serving as a connecting thread throughout the ceremony.

At 19:30, pyrotechnics over the Pont d'Austerlitz (decorated in Olympic theming) bridge in the tricolour of the flag of France with jets of water from the Seine began the Parade of Nations, beginning with the Greek delegation and the Refugee Olympic Team through the Bahraini delegation.[13] For the first time in Olympic history, the athletes sailed on multiple Paris boats such as ferries or yachts and the parade was integrated into the artistic programme for the first time.

Enchanté

The first sequence, Enchanté, included the ceremony's first musical act which featured Lady Gaga and eight dancers waving large pink ostrich feather hand fans, all in custom Dior costumes, in a pre-recorded segment (taped earlier for "safety reasons")[56] alluding to "a cabaret feel" by performing "Mon truc en plume", made famous by vedette Zizi Jeanmaire, on a golden staircase beside a black grand piano on the left bank of the Seine.[57] The singer wore a black satin bustier under a black feather jacket.[58]

The parade resumed with the Bangladeshi through Chinese delegations, as dancers and acrobats performed on French garden-style barges on the Seine.

Synchronicité

The second sequence, Synchronicité, started with a dance tribute by 420 people to the reconstruction teams of Notre-Dame leading to its 2019 fire and crafts and artisans in general, held on Île de la Cité. This sequence featured French-Senegalese dancer Guillaume Diop, the first Black star dancer of the Paris Opera,[citation needed] and Olympic champions Martin Fourcade and Michael Phelps. Aside from the Notre-Dame's reconstruction, the sequence also highlighted the making of the Olympic medals in their three metals at the Monnaie de Paris and the Louis Vuitton cases that carry them.

Liberté

The third sequence, Liberté, began on the façade of the Conciergerie with a tribute to the French Revolution (titled "Ah! Ça Ira!"), referencing Marie Antoinette's execution by beheading and the musical Les Misérables, as the original French version of "Do You Hear the People Sing?" played to introduce the segment. Performers included heavy metal band Gojira and soprano Marina Viotti [fr] performing the Habanera from the French opera Carmen. Dancers at the Bibliothèque nationale de France performed to classic and contemporary French literary pieces. The tableau also addressed diverse forms of love (including LGBT themes and polyamory), expressed by acrobats from the XY company and circus artists from the Gratte-Ciel company. Tightrope walker Nathan Paulin performed outdoors.

French literature titles featured in the Liberté segment included Romances Sans Parole (Romances Without Words) by Paul-Marie Verlaine, 1874; Bel-Ami (Nice Friend) by Guy de Maupassant, 1885; On Ne Badine Pas Avec L’amour (No Trifling with Love) by Alfred de Musset, 1834; Passion Simple (Simple Passion) by Annie Ernaux, 1992; Sexe Et Mensonges (Sex and Lies) by Leila Slimani, 2021; Le Diable Au Corps (The Devil in the Body) by Raymond Radiguet, 1923; Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Dangerous Relationships) by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, 1782; Les Amants Magnifiques (The Magnificent Lovers) by Moliere, 1670; and Le Triomphe De L’amour (The Triumph of Love) by Pierre de Marivaux, 1732.

Égalité

The Republican Guard marching band played "For me formidable" [fr] by Charles Aznavour on the Pont des Arts footbridge, opening the fourth sequence, Égalité. French-Malian signer Aya Nakamura, the most listened-to French-speaking artist in the world at the time,[citation needed] performed "Pookie", an arrangement of "For me formidable" and her hit "Djadja", in front of the Institut de France accompanied by the Choir of the French Army and musicians of the Republican Guard.

Fraternité

Bleachers in front of the Musée d'Orsay

The fifth sequence, Fraternité, began with Camille Saint-Saëns' "Danse macabre" and referenced the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre. The parade resumed with the Cypriot through Gabonese delegations, as pianist Alexandre Kantorow performed Maurice Ravel's "Jeux d'eau" under heavy rain. The parade boats continued with the Gambian through Jamaican delegations.

The ceremony moved to the Musée d'Orsay and paid homage to the science of imagery, particularly French filmmakers the Lumière brothers and Georges Méliès alongside French children's literature such as The Little Prince, as the Paul Dukas tone poem "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" played. After that, the International Space Station appears, revealing a yellow telescope which pans down to an animated underwater submarine sequence featuring the Minions from Illumination's Despicable Me (a nod to Los Angeles, which was to be the next summer Games host city) holding various sports events in a submarine with the Mona Lisa emerging from the Seine after it explodes. Mezzo-soprano Axelle Saint-Cirel, representing the national personification of the French Marianne, sang the French national anthem in a French flag-themed Dior dress atop the Grand Palais.

Sororité

The sixth sequence, Sororité (sisterhood), highlighted ten notable French women with golden statues along the Seine: Olympe de Gouges, Alice Milliat, Gisèle Halimi, Paulette Nardal, Jeanne Barret, Christine de Pizan, Louise Michel, Alice Guy, Simone Veil, and Simone de Beauvoir (the latter's statue did not rise during the ceremony). After that, Saint-Cirel sang the sixth verse of the French national anthem, accompanied by a choir.

Sportivité

The seventh sequence, Sportivité, resumed the parade boats with the Japanese through Norwegian delegations. Polish countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński performed a baroque piece, followed by rapper Rim'K singing "King".

Festivité

The Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower

The eighth sequence, Festivité, started with a tribute to French fashion on the Passerelle Debilly's red carpet. The parade continued on to its end with the Kiwi delegation to the Australian and the American delegations, as both Brisbane, Australia and Los Angeles, U.S. are the next Olympic Games hosts in 2032 and 2028 respectively. The masked torchbearer crossed the Passerelle Debilly, while a live video feed highlighted the welcoming committee in Tahiti, where the surfing events would be held.

A tribute to the European Union was introduced by "The Final Countdown" and a drone show around the Eiffel Tower forming the 12 stars of the EU flag, and featured drag queens including Nicky Doll and dancers including Germain Louvet, Electro Street, and the Mazelfreten collective, continuing on the waterlogged red carpet of the Debilly footbridge, as well as a barge with an LED dancefloor, to Eurodance tracks such as "Freed from Desire", ''Be My Lover'', "Stereo Love", "It's Rainy Day" and "Sandstorm". Philippe Katerine, nearly nude and painted as a blue Dionysus (the Greek god of wine, in tribute to France's wine industry and the ancient Greek Olympics),[59][60] performed "Nu", lying at the center of a long table with the drag queens posed in a manner resembling a bacchanalian feast.[61][62][63][64] The parade of boats culminated with the French delegation riding a boat on the Seine.

The soundtrack of the first eight sequences included rearranged classics of French chanson and pop culture mixed by DJ Barbara Butch:[65]

Obscurité

The ninth sequence, Obscurité, continued on from Festivité, with the music turning darker in mood and the dancers aboard the barge becoming more frenetic. As its LED floor flashed a montage of various climate disasters, including droughts, floods, and forest fires, the dancers slowly collapsed, one by one. As the Seine darkened, Juliette Armanet appeared on a raft singing "Imagine" as part of a call for peace, accompanied by Sofiane Pamart on a burning piano.

Solidarité

The tenth sequence, Solidarité, showcased a masked rider representing French heroine Joan of Arc (portrayed by Floriane Issert, a member of the Gendarmerie)[66][67] wearing an Olympic flag as a cape along with silver and black armour, riding a metallic mechanical horse along the Seine to spread the spirit of the Games. This segment referenced Pierre de Coubertin and the history of the Olympics, with numerous archival images and highlights of past Games. Volunteers carrying the flags of the participating countries gathered under the Eiffel Tower. The rider appeared on a white horse, bringing another, folded Olympic flag to a mast at the Trocadéro, surrounded by athletes. The Olympic Anthem was performed by the Radio France Choir [fr] featuring the Maîtrise de Radio France and the Orchestre National de France as members of the French Armed Forces raised the flag, which was accidentally raised upside down.[68]

Solennité

During the eleventh sequence, Solennité, the Olympic Laurels were awarded, with Italian diplomat Filippo Grandi receiving them in his capacity as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Tony Estanguet, head of the organising committee, and IOC President Thomas Bach welcomed participants and spectators in French and English. President Emmanuel Macron then declared the Games open, stating:

I proclaim open the Games of Paris, celebrating the XXXIII Olympiad of the modern times.

The Olympic oath was sworn by French flag bearers Mélina Robert-Michon and Florent Manaudou, coach Christophe Massina, and a wrestling referee. Zinedine Zidane took the Olympic flame from the masked bearer and handed it to Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal (beginning the final leg), who carried the flame up the Seine by boat along with other Olympic champions Carl Lewis, Serena Williams, and Nadia Comăneci, while on the Trocadéro stage, a deaf dancer performed "Supernature" by Cerrone in French Sign Language, backdropped by an elaborate light show on the Eiffel Tower, focusing on the Olympic Rings. The boat docked near the Louvre, where tennis champion Amélie Mauresmo continued the relay with basketball player Tony Parker. They were joined by Paralympic champions Nantenin Keïta, Alexis Hanquinquant, and Marie-Amélie Le Fur, officially opening the twelfth and final sequence, Éternité.

Éternité

The flame was relayed through the Tuileries Garden, where the flame would be situated, after entering the Carrousel du Louvre. A number of French Olympic champions carried the torch: Jean-François Lamour, Félicia Ballanger, Florian Rousseau, Émilie Le Pennec, David Douillet, Clarisse Agbegnenou, Alain Bernard, Laure Manaudou, Renaud Lavillenie, Laura Flessel and Charles Coste, the oldest living French Olympic champion at 100 years old.[21] The final leg culminated with Teddy Riner and Marie-José Pérec lighting the Olympic cauldron, a ring of 40 computerised LEDs and 200 high-pressure water aerosol spray dispensers which was topped by a 30-metre-tall helium sphere resembling a hot air balloon, rising in the air, reminiscent of the Montgolfier brothers' experiments leading to the first hot air balloon flight in 1783. The cauldron is attached to a wire-like conduit anchored in the middle of the Grand Bassin Rond (literally, "Large Round Basin") to avoid flying off, as well as feeding the cauldron with water and electricity, and is pulled back to the ground during daytime. It is the first Olympic cauldron to light up without the direct use of fossil fuels.[69]

Céline Dion, accompanied by a pianist, concluded the ceremony by singing Édith Piaf's "Hymne à l'amour" from the first floor of the Eiffel Tower,[70] bringing the ceremony to a close at 23:29 CEST after singing a few notes of La Marseillaise.[21]

Anthems

Performances

Céline Dion and Lady Gaga (pictured in 2012 and 2021) made their first live performances since 2020 at the opening ceremony

French singer Slimane performed his song "Mon Amour" at a pre-opening ceremony event in Saint-Denis which was broadcast on France 2.[72] As Slimane had cancelled a concert the day prior, some media outlets were unsure whether he would perform.[73]

American singer Lady Gaga was the first performer of the ceremony, performing a rendition of the song "Mon truc en plumes".[74] Even though her appearance had not been in the embargoed media guide distributed previous to the event, her participation had been heavily speculated due to her multiple appearances in Paris in the days before the ceremony.[13] Progressive metal act Gojira soon followed, becoming the first metal band to perform at an Olympic opening ceremony. The band, who were joined by opera singer Marina Viotti, performed the French revolution-era song "Ça Ira" at the Conciergerie, a former prison where Marie Antoinette spent her final days.[74] A performer portraying a beheaded Antoinette began the performance.[75] Aya Nakamura soon followed with a performance of her songs "Pookie" and "Djadja" on the Pont des Arts.[76][77]

Later in the night, as part of a fashion runway portion of the ceremony, various drag queens, including Nicky Doll and alumnae of the reality television series Drag Race France, recreated a bacchanalian feast.[78][79] Doll also performed "I Had a Dream" on the runway.[78] Shortly after, musician Philippe Katerine performed while covered in blue body paint and surrounded by fruit and flowers. While Katerine was depicting the Greek god Dionysus, some viewed him as similar to Belgian comic character Papa Smurf.[80] Juliette Armanet sang John Lennon's 1971 song "Imagine" while accompanied by Sofiane Pamart on piano, which was ablaze during the performance.[81]

Closing the opening ceremony after the Olympic flame was lit, Canadian singer Céline Dion sang the Édith Piaf song "Hymne à l'amour" on the first level of the Eiffel Tower. The performance was her first since December 2022, after revealing her diagnosis with stiff person syndrome.[82]

Dignitaries in attendance

Host nation

Foreign leaders and representatives

The local organising committee had expected around 120 world leaders will attend the Opening Ceremony, next to around 160 ministers.[89] In another report, the French government said that at least 100 heads of state and government had accepted the invitation to the Games, but did not disclose any other details.[90]

According to a list from the Elysée, 300 foreign dignitaries from 130 countries and organisations, including 85 heads of state and government, were at Paris for the ceremony.[91] President Macron and IOC president Bach hosted a reception and a Sports for Sustainable Development Summit with visiting dignitaries.[91] The following international politicians were in attendance:

International organisations

The following dignitaries from international organisations were in attendance:

Reception

The ceremony received mixed reviews, with most of its criticism directed towards its length and format, weather conditions, technical issues, and other aspects of the production itself, but with praise for its musical performances and its final acts (including the cauldron lighting and Celine Dion's closing performance).[148][149] 86% of French residents surveyed by the organizing committee considered the opening ceremony to have been "successful".[150][151]

Among France's newspapers of record, Le Monde considered it a "dream-like spectacle" that showcased a country that was "inclusive" and "unafraid of controversy",[152] while Libération described it as "imbued with inclusivity and self-deprecation", and hailed a "catharsis that was all the more welcome" after the stress of France’s snap elections and "sublimated by the rain that turned into an artistic asset".[153] The conservative-leaning Le Figaro described it as "a grandiose and sumptuous spectacle", albeit arguing that France "[can't] help drawing from its revolutionary guts the spirit of provocation and discord that has always fuelled its paradoxes and divisions".[154]

Writing for Time, Judy Berman felt that the ceremony was "occasionally weird, wildly ambitious, ultimately wonderful, and extremely French", and remarked that "the most enjoyable moments tended to be the strangest—and the most idiosyncratically French—ones. Dozens of dancers in hot pink doing the can-can? Fantastique. Marie Antoinette holding her freshly decapitated, singing head, as the introduction to a set piece that would pair opera singer Marina Viotti with French metal stalwarts Gojira? Vive la révolution."[155] Arifa Akbar of The Guardian described the ceremony as being "like a motley outfit thrown together. Water cannons, street dancers in Louis XIV outfits, and ultra-camp fashion shows which seemed like a crime against haute couture: it would not have looked out of place at Cannes' gaudy la Croisette." However. Akbar felt that the final act and cauldron lighting was more "dignified", and that "the ceremony could have done with so much more of this class."[149]

New York Times television critic Mike Hale considered the ceremony to be "quintessentially French: titillating, hermetic, light on humor and heavy on pretense", and praised the cauldron lighting and finale, but felt that the boat parade made the NBC telecast feel like a "bloated made-for-TV spectacle" akin to an awards show or holiday parade in comparison to past opening ceremonies, and that it diminished the presence of the athletes (often being reduced to a split screen or downplayed when an artistic segment was occurring).[156] The New Statesman compared the artistic segments to the Eurovision Song Contest, believing that the BBC's telecast needed a commentator (such as its Eurovision host Graham Norton) "who could make sense of it all, or at least dryly mock that which they could not."[157] The inclusion of the minions of the Despicable Me film franchise (characters who were created and voiced by the film's French director Pierre Coffin) were considered by U.S. critics as cross-promotion by the Olympics' local rightsholder NBCUniversal (whose studio Universal Pictures distributes the films), with Aramide Tinubu of Variety describing the scene as "both odd and off-putting".[158][159][160]

Viewership

According to Médiamétrie ratings, the opening ceremony was seen in France by an average of 23.2 million viewers, and peaking at 25.2 million, making it among the country's most-watched television broadcasts of all time behind the 2022 FIFA World Cup final (24.08 million).[161] In the United States, NBC Sports reported that the opening ceremony was seen by 28.6 million viewers across its live broadcast and prime time encore, its highest viewership for any Olympic opening ceremony since 2014.[162] In Canada, the CBC also reported ratings improvements over Tokyo 2020, with 13.3 million viewing all or part of the broadcast across CBC Television and its sub-license partners.[163]

Controversies and incidents

Drag queen performance

Leonardo da Vinci's fresco The Last Supper (pictured), which, according to France 2024 producers, inspired the scene.

The "Festivité" segment contained a scene of drag queens arranged in a row along a catwalk. Jolly and the Olympic Games' X account stated that this represented "a pagan feast linked to the gods of Olympus" and an "interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus", while a statement from Paris 2024 said that it was also inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's fresco The Last Supper, which depicts Jesus and the Twelve Apostles.[164][165] The segment was criticised as a mockery of Christianity by conservative politicians, the French opposition leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, and Christian groups including the Roman Catholic Bishops' Conference of France.[164][166][167][168] The sequence was also described by conservative commentators as woke.[169] The presence of a child in the scene also drew criticism.[170][171] C Spire, a telecommunications provider in the southern United States, announced that it would pull its advertising from local telecasts of the Games due to the scene.[172]

Responding to the criticism in a press conference, Jolly stated that "We wanted to include everyone, as simple as that. In France, we have freedom of creation, artistic freedom. We are lucky in France to live in a free country. I didn't have any specific messages that I wanted to deliver. In France, we are a Republic, we have the right to love whom we want, we have the right not to be worshippers, we have a lot of rights in France, and this is what I wanted to convey."[167] The Paris 2024 producers stated that "Thomas Jolly took inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting to create the setting", and cited that the painting had already been a frequent target of parody in popular culture.[164] However, the next day Jolly denied having been inspired by The Last Supper on BFM TV.[173][174] On 28 July, organisers issued an apology for the performance, stating that "there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group."[175] According to Premier, "Church leaders say an apology issued by the organising committee of the Paris Olympics over a tableau depicting Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper painting, doesn’t go far enough."[176]

Marie Antoinette scene

The representation by Marina Viotti [fr] of a decapitated Marie Antoinette (referencing her execution by guillotine on 16 October 1793) in the Conciergerie generated a lot of polemic and was considered pretty offensive for French royalists communities,[177] while also was criticised as very grotesque and atrocious.[178][179] There were special emphasis against glorification of the violence and the Reign of Terror,[180][181] and also that those bloody scenes were inappropriate and against children's rights.[182] Also there were criticism due to the presence of the song "Ah! Ça Ira" from the French Revolution, which was played by the French heavy metal band Gojira (which also were accused of Satanist) in which the band is not.[183] Notable right-wing French figures who criticisised the segment were Oliver Babeau, Gabrielle Cluzel, Charles Prats, Marion Maréchal, Jean-Christophe Buisson (this one, as biographer of Marie Antoniette, stated that it wasn't motive of pride to celebrate the death of a woman who was victim of revolutionary prejudices).[184]

Official French monarchists and traditionalist institutions stated declarations against the Ceremony due to the Jacobin apology, like the Cercle d'Action Légitimiste (loyals to Legitimists pretender Louis XX).[185] Even members of the House of Bourbon protested, like Orléanist Charles-Philippe d'Orléans, who was Depressed for seing that disrespect to his ancestor and also criticised the provocative anti-monarchical scenes.[186][187] Also members of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine expressed their indignations, like Eduard Habsburg, who satirically commented on X "...because decapitating Habsburgs and ridiculising central Christian events are really the FIRST two things that spring to mind when you think of #OlympicGames”.[188] While left-wing French Politicians defended those scenes representing the French Revolution (appealing to the Dark Age historiographical myth) by saying that Far-Right still lives with values from Medieval Obscurantism than in Modernity.[189] Also there were comparitions between this ceremony and the London 2012 opening ceremony, in which the monarchical institutions were respected and glorificated with the participation of Elizabeth II, while in this the figure of Marie Antoinette is disrespected.[190][191]

Thomas Jolly, director of the ceremony, stated that there was no “glorification of this instrument of death that was the guillotine”. “If we use our work to regenerate […] division, hatred […] and it continues to progress, while I believe we have made a little peace […], then that would be very Shame".[192]

Presence of Aya Nakamura

The presence of singer Aya Nakamura at the ceremony has been decried. Nakamura had faced racial abuse in the leadup to the event, such as the far-right group Les Natifs displaying a banner "There's no way Aya. This is Paris, not the Bamako market" on the basis of her roots in Mali.[193][194] According to an Odoxa [fr] poll prior to the event, 63% of French people disapproved of Nakamura performing at the Olympics.[195]

Introducing South Korea as North Korea

During the parade of nations, the South Korean delegation was incorrectly addressed by the French and English announcers as République populaire démocratique de Corée and Democratic People's Republic of Korea—the official designation for North Korea rather than République de Corée and Republic of Korea.[196][197] The International Olympic Committee posted an apology on their official website.[198]

Jang Mi-ran, Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated that it would submit an official protest over the accident, and that it had "asked the foreign ministry to lodge a strong complaint with France on a government level", asked the IOC to arrange a meeting with President Bach regarding this incident, and asked the Paris organizing committee to ensure that this would not reoccur.[199]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d as member of the IOC

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "France unveils security plan for Olympics opening ceremony in central Paris". France 24. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  2. ^ Bisset, Victoria; Noack, Rick (26 July 2024). "Arson disrupts France's high-speed trains hours before Olympics, officials say". The Washington Post. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  3. ^ Phillips, Jacob; Mata, William (26 July 2024). "Eurostars cancelled as arson attack sparks travel chaos ahead of Olympics - live". The Standard. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  4. ^ "French rail network hit by arson attacks before Olympics opening ceremony". The Guardian. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  5. ^ "'Criminal' attack on France's high-speed train network". France24. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d Lloyd, Owen (20 September 2023). "Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony preparations to be finalised by end of year". Inside the Games. Archived from the original on 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d Delorme, Anne-Claire (10 July 2023). "Paris 2024 opening ceremony: why you (really) shouldn't miss it?". Explore France. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Seine-sational? Paris rehearses waterborne opening ceremony for 2024 Olympics". France24. Agence France-Presse. 17 July 2023. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d "Maud Le Pladec, named as Director of Dance for the four ceremonies of the Games of Paris 2024 and choreographer of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony". Paris 2024. 18 June 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d Lepeltier, Nicolas; Le Coeur, Philippe (2 November 2023). "Paris 2024 opening ceremony: Authorities consider admitting around 300,000 spectators for free". Le Monde. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  11. ^ a b c Pretot, Julien (21 December 2023). "Paris 2024 has contingency plans for opening ceremony". Reuters. Reuters. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  12. ^ a b c Daffunchio Picazo, Raúl (28 December 2023). "Paris 2024: From a big opening for all to a small one for some". Inside the Games. Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e f Arhirova, Hanna; Azooni, Tale; Cohen, Jay; Charlton, Angela; Corbet, Sylvie; Dunbar, Graham; Fendrich, Howard; Fryer, Jenna; Leicester, John (26 July 2024). "2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, as it happened". Associated Press. Associated Press. Retrieved 27 July 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ a b c Burke, Patrick (23 April 2023). "Paris 2024 reveals flotilla of boats signed up for historic Opening Ceremony along Seine". Inside the Games. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  15. ^ Muñana, Gustavo (23 November 2023). "Olympics-Paris 2024 to sell 400,000 tickets next week, 7.2 million already sold". Inside the Games. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  16. ^ Diaz, Jaclyn (8 February 2022). "Paris quayside booksellers dig in for Olympics battle". Financial Times. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  17. ^ "OLYMPICS Macron shelves plan to remove riverside Paris booksellers for opening ceremony". Reuters. 13 February 2024.
  18. ^ "France prepared to change plans on 2024 Olympics opening based on security". Reuters. Reuters. 20 December 2023. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  19. ^ a b c d e Hird, Alison (26 July 2024). "'We need this moment of peace' say Olympic opening ceremony storytellers". Radio France Internationale. Retrieved 26 July 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ a b c d Ewe, Koh (5 July 2024). "Everything to Know About the History-Making Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  21. ^ a b c "Teddy Riner et Marie-José Pérec pour allumer la flamme, Céline Dion sur la Tour Eiffel... revivez la cérémonie d'ouverture des JO de Paris" [Teddy Riner and Marie-José Pérec to light the flame, Céline Dion on the Eiffel Tower... relive the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics]. La Montagne (in French). 26 July 2024. ISSN 0767-4007. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  22. ^ Daffunchio Picazo, Raúl (4 February 2024). "Fewer fans allowed at Paris opening ceremony". Inside the Games. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  23. ^ "France downsizes Paris 2024 opening ceremony crowd to around 300,000 spectators". AP News. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  24. ^ "326,000 tickets for Paris Olympics opening ceremony, minister says". France 24. 5 March 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  25. ^ "Paris begins sharing out free tickets for Olympics' opening ceremony". The Brussels Times. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  26. ^ "Paris won't allow tourists free access to Olympics opening ceremony along the Seine River". EL PAÍS English. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  27. ^ "Paris Olympics opening ceremony rehearsal postponed due to strong Seine flow". France 24. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  28. ^ "Paris Olympic opening rehearsal on fast-flowing Seine set for July 16". The Local. 13 June 2024.
  29. ^ a b c Rose, Michel; Pretot, Julien (25 July 2024). "Macron's 'crazy' Olympics plan for a floating parade on the Seine". Reuters. Reuters. Retrieved 27 July 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h Porter, Catherine (24 July 2024). "When the Paris Olympics Begin, the Seine Is His Stage". The New York Times. ISSN 1553-8095. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  31. ^ Padovani, Loïc (26 July 2024). "Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics: The (Expected) Moment of Glory for Thomas Jolly, Artistic Director of the Event". International Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  32. ^ Knopper, Steve (24 July 2024). "Olympics 2024 Theme Composer Victor le Masne Found the Melody in Three Seconds. Then the Real Work Began". Billboard. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  33. ^ a b Mawad, Dalal (16 April 2024). "Emmanuel Macron says Olympic Opening Ceremony could be changed in case of terrorism threat". CNN. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  34. ^ a b Daffunchio Picazo, Raúl (28 April 2024). "Buildings along the Seine will have extra anti-terrorism protection in Paris". Inside the Games. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  35. ^ a b "Olympic Games Opening Ceremony: security perimeters activated on July 18". www.paris.fr. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  36. ^ a b McGowan, Elliot (26 July 2024). "Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony: Ticketing issues, long queues reported". Inside the Games. Retrieved 26 July 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  37. ^ Wood, Gaby; Leibovitz, Annie (30 May 2024). "Thomas Jolly is Masterminding the Most Complex (and Wettest) Olympics Opening Ceremony of All Time". Vogue.
  38. ^ a b c "Daphné Bürki, Styling and Costumes Director of the four Ceremonies of the Pari". press.paris2024.org. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  39. ^ a b c d "Paris 2024 reveals the scriptwriters of the narrative of the Olympic Games' Opening Ceremony". Paris 2024. 16 July 2024. Archived from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  40. ^ McCracken, Tess (27 July 2024). "Karl Stefanovic met with fierce backlash after 'cringe' commentary of Olympics Opening Ceremony". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  41. ^ https://www.cbc.ca/lite/story/1.7275202
  42. ^ "NOS commentaar openingsceremonie Olympische Spelen kan kijkers niet bekoren". tvgids.bl (in Dutch). 16 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  43. ^ "Igrzyska Olimpijskie w Paryżu. Kto zasiądzie przed mikrofonem? Eksperci i komentatorzy TVP". tvp.pl (in Polish). 11 June 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  44. ^ "Летње олимпијске игре 2024, свечано отварање". rtr.rs. rts.rs. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  45. ^ "Olimpijske igre Pariz 2024 na programih RTV Slovenija" (in Slovenian). MMC RTV Slovenija. 10 July 2024.
  46. ^ "RTVE se vuelca con los Juegos Olímpicos". diariovasco.com. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  47. ^ "2024 Olimpiyatları Açılış Töreni kim anlatacak, sunucuları kimler?" [Who will commentate on the 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony and who will be the presenters?] (in Turkish). Yeni Bakış. 26 July 2024. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  48. ^ "Cómo ver los Juegos Olímpicos París 2024 en español a través de Telemundo" [How to see the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Spanish through Telemundo]. WSCV (in Spanish). 23 July 2024. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  49. ^ Newcomb, Tim (20 June 2023). "Paris 2024 Floats New Approach For Opening Ceremony Stadium". Forbes. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  50. ^ Farago, Jason (25 July 2024). "Why the Olympics' Parade of Nations Is the World's Costume Party". The New York Times. ISSN 1553-8095. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  51. ^ Paphitis, Nicholas (16 April 2024). "Despite weather glitch, the Paris Olympics flame is lit at the Greek cradle of ancient games". AP News. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  52. ^ "News Access Rules Applicable to the Olympic Torch Relay of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad Paris 2024" (PDF). International Olympic Committee (PDF). 26 November 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  53. ^ "Olympic flame reaches France for 2024 Paris Olympics aboard a 19th century sailing ship". CBS News.com. 8 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  54. ^ Leicester, John (26 July 2024). "Paris Olympics kicks off with ambitious but rainy opening ceremony on the Seine River". WCAV. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  55. ^ "Assassins Creed? Who was the masked torchbearer at the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony?". WMAQ-TV. 26 July 2024. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  56. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (28 July 2024). "Olympics Choreographer on Working With Lady Gaga to Prepare Opening Ceremony Performance, And Why It Nearly Got Called Off Due to Rain". Variety Magazine. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024.
  57. ^ "Lady Gaga dazzles at Olympics opening ceremony with prerecorded French performance". Associated Press. Associated Press. 26 July 2024. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  58. ^ "LVMH's luxury wares earn top billing at Olympics opening". Reuters. Reuters. 26 July 2024. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  59. ^ Rumsby, Ben. "'Papa Smurf' and flaming pianos – strangest moments of Paris Olympics opening ceremony". The Telegraph.
  60. ^ Giuffrida, Angela (28 July 2024). "Paris Olympics organisers apologise to Christians for unintentional Last Supper parody". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  61. ^ "JO 2024 : Zinédine Zidane, Lady Gaga, Céline Dion, un spectacle total sur la Seine et le déluge… Paris s'offre une cérémonie d'ouverture inoubliable". Le Monde (in French). 27 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024..
  62. ^ "La cérémonie d'ouverture des JO de Paris enthousiasme la gauche mais indigne une partie de la droite et de l'extrême droite". Le Monde (in French). 27 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024..
  63. ^ "Cérémonie d'ouverture de Paris 2024 : "Une image comme ça, on n'aurait jamais pu la créer, même au cinéma"". France Inter (in French). 27 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024..
  64. ^ Loridan, Carla (28 July 2024). "JO 2024: la drag-queen Piche répond aux critiques après sa performance à la cérémonie d'ouverture" [Olympic Games 2024: Drag Queen Piche Responds to Criticism After her Performance at the Opening Ceremony]. RMC Sport Jeux Olympiques (in French). Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  65. ^ @Olympics (27 July 2024). "The world is a stage, and Paris is a catwalk. The #OpeningCeremony is France's largest nightclub. Celebrities are showcasing young French designer talent, while DJ Barbara Butch provides the tunes. The perfect moment for the last delegations to arrive. #Paris2024" (Tweet). Retrieved 27 July 2024 – via Twitter.
  66. ^ Brodeur, Michael Andor (26 July 2024). "A grand vision guides unprecedented Opening Ceremonies down the Seine". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  67. ^ Braidwood, Jamie (26 July 2024). "Who were the masked torchbearer and horse rider at the Olympics opening ceremony?". The Independent. ISSN 1741-9743. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  68. ^ Braidwood, Jamie (26 July 2024). "Olympic flag raised upside down at end of rain-soaked opening ceremony". The Independent. ISSN 1741-9743. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  69. ^ Vasavda, Mihir (28 July 2024). "40 LED lights, a cloud of water-vapour for illumination, 200 high-pressure misting nozzles: How flying cauldron of Paris Olympics is lit up". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  70. ^ Tolentino, Daysia (26 July 2024). "Céline Dion, Lady Gaga perform during the Olympic opening ceremony". NBC News. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  71. ^ 1
  72. ^ Argyriou, Giannis (26 July 2024). "Olympics: Watch Slimane perform Mon Amour just before the opening ceremony". Eurovision Fun. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  73. ^ Ratesson, Sandra (24 July 2024). "Le chanteur Slimane annonce une triste nouvelle : '48 heures que j'hésite à prendre cette décision...'" [Singer Slimane announces sad news: 'I've been hesitating to make this decision for 48 hours...']. Pure People (in French). Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  74. ^ a b Monroe, Jazz; Strauss, Matthew (25 July 2024). "Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Gojira, and More Perform at Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  75. ^ Rivera, Joe (26 July 2024). "Who is Gojira? What to know about metal band at Olympics opening ceremony". USA Today. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  76. ^ Keslassy, Elsa; Rtiman, Alex (26 July 2024). "Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony: All the Biggest Moments From the Games' Kickoff". Variety. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  77. ^ Betancourt, Bianca (26 July 2024). "Aya Nakamura Proves Why She's France's Biggest Star at the 2024 Paris Opening Ceremony". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  78. ^ a b Sim, Bernardo (26 July 2024). "Nicky Doll stuns in runway segment at Paris Olympics opening ceremony". Out Magazine. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  79. ^ Tinoco, Armando (26 July 2024). "Kansas City Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker Calls Drag Queens Channeling The Last Supper At Olympics Opening Ceremony 'Crazy'". Deadline. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  80. ^ Rumsby, Ben (26 July 2024). "'Papa Smurf' and flaming pianos – strangest moments of Paris Olympics opening ceremony". The Telegraph. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  81. ^ Logan, Elizabeth (26 July 2024). "Everything To Know About "Imagine" at The Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony". NBC News. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  82. ^ Ellise Shafer, Elsa Keslassy (26 July 2024). "Celine Dion Gives Emotional Performance on Eiffel Tower at the Olympics Opening Ceremony". Variety. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  83. ^ a b c d e f Venance, Loic (26 July 2024). "Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony". The Herald Journal. Associated Press. ISSN 2834-5401. Retrieved 28 July 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  84. ^ a b Le Segretain, Pascal (26 July 2024). "Opening Ceremony - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 0". Getty Images. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  85. ^ a b c d e f g "World leaders and royalty arrive for the Olympics". YouTube. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  86. ^ Le Segretain, Paul (26 July 2024). "Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony". Citizen Tribune. Morristown, Tennessee. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  87. ^ Fitzgerald, David (26 July 2024). "Paris 2024 Olympic Games - Day 0 - Opening Ceremony". SportsFile. Dublin. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  88. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai "Jill Biden, royalty but no Zelensky? Top guests at the Paris Olympics". France 24. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  89. ^ "France prepares for 120 world leaders at the opening of Paris 2024". Inside the Games. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  90. ^ "Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games". French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
  91. ^ a b "Macron touts Paris summit tying sports and sustainability during Olympics". Associated Press News. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  92. ^ "Javier Milei estará en los Juegos Olímpicos y le pidió a Macron ir a ver un equipo" [Javier Milei will be at the Olympic Games and asked Macron to watch a team]. TyC Sports (in Spanish). Tele Red Imagen S.A. 18 June 2024.
  93. ^ "President Vahagn Khachaturyan attended the opening of the "Olympic House of Armenia" in Paris". Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  94. ^ "Anika Wells to attend Olympics". Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  95. ^ "Le Roi et la Reine assistent à l'ouverture des Jeux Olympiques de Paris 2024 | La Monarchie belge". The Belgian Monarchy (in French). Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  96. ^ a b c d Saad719 (25 July 2024). "Olympic Gala at the Louvre". The Royal Watcher. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  97. ^ a b Fernandes, Aline (11 July 2024). "Lula diz que não irá à Olimpíada de Paris, mas enviará Janja em seu lugar" [Lula says he won't go to Paris Olympics, but will send Janja in his place]. CNN Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  98. ^ "Minister Qualtrough will be at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to cheer on Team Canada". Newswire. 22 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  99. ^ Daffunchio Picazo, Raúl (19 July 2024). "President Gabriel Boric cancels Paris 2024 trip amid Chile crime surge". Inside the Games. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  100. ^ 刘小卓 (22 July 2024). "Chinese VP to attend opening ceremony of Olympic Games Paris 2024". China Daily. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  101. ^ "President and first lady to attend Olympic games". Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  102. ^ "PM Fiala to attend Olympic Games opening ceremony". Radio Prague International. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  103. ^ "De Olympiske Lege i Paris". Kongehuset.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  104. ^ "Djibouti : IOG and Macron to sign defence treaty after lengthy negotiations". Africa Intelligence. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  105. ^ "President Alar Karis and first lady attending Paris Olympics opening ceremony". ERR. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  106. ^ "Head of State to attend 2024 Olympics". Fiji Government. 21 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024 – via Facebook.
  107. ^ "Presidentti Stubb vierailee Ranskassa ja Pariisin kesäolympialaisissa". Tasavallan presidentin kanslia. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  108. ^ "Mitsotakis to attend Paris Olympics opening ceremony". eKathimerini. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  109. ^ "SCST commences visit to Paris (with photos)". HKSAR Government Press Release. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  110. ^ a b "Prabowo to join Paris Olympics opening ceremony". AntaraNews.com. Antara. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  111. ^ "Iraqi president to attend Olympics opening ceremony". Rudaw. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  112. ^ "President Barzani to attend Paris Olympic opening ceremony". Rudaw. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  113. ^ "Taoiseach Simon Harris to meet French President Emmanuel Macron and to attend the 33rd Olympic Games in Paris". Government of Ireland. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  114. ^ a b Cashman, Greer Fay (21 July 2024). "President Herzog will attend opening of Olympic Games in Paris amid calls to stop Israel competing". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  115. ^ "Quirinale Agenda". Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  116. ^ "Presidentja Osmani krahas liderëve botërorë në Lojërat Olimpike Paris 2024". President of the Republic of Kosovo - Vjosa Osmani. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  117. ^ "President Zhaparov to attend opening of Summer Olympics in France". Kabar. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  118. ^ "President to attend Paris Olympics". The Baltic Times. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  119. ^ "Mikati in Paris for Opening Ceremony of the Olympics". Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  120. ^ Weimerskirch, Pierre (26 June 2024). "Exclusive interview with Grand Duke Henri: 'There will be a lot of Luxembourgers at the Paris Olympics'". RTL Today. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  121. ^ "Vice President depats to attend Paris 2024 Olympics". Maldives Presidency. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  122. ^ "Robert Abela in Paris ahead of Olympic games opening ceremony". Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  123. ^ a b "غزواني يعود إلى نواكشوط قادما من باريس" [Ghazouani returns to Nouakchott coming from Paris] (in Arabic). Al Akhbar. 27 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  124. ^ "President of Mongolia to Attend Opening Ceremony of Paris-2024 Summer Olympics". MONTSAME News Agency. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  125. ^ "Milatovic and Spajic are going to the Olympics". Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  126. ^ "Government delegation to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games and International Summit on Sport and Sustainable Development". Government of Montenegro. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  127. ^ "Le chef du gouvernement représente Sa Majesté le Roi à la cérémonie d'ouverture des JO de Paris". Maghreb Arabe Presse. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  128. ^ a b c d "Willem-Alexander, Máxima en prinsessen bezoeken Olympische Spelen in Parijs" [Willem-Alexander, Máxima and princesses visit Paris Olympics]. NU.nl (in Dutch). 18 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  129. ^ "Governor-General At The Paris 2024 Olympic Games". Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  130. ^ "Olympic Village in Paris welcome arrival of Oman's national teams". Times of Oman. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  131. ^ "Romanian president will be in Paris for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games". Romania Insider. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  132. ^ "Diomaye Faye to be special guest at Paris Olympics". Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  133. ^ "Serbian President Vucic to attend opening of Olympic Games in Paris". Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  134. ^ "President Bio departs ahead of Sport for Sustainable Development Summit and Olympics in France". Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  135. ^ "Visit by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to the French Republic for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, 24 to 28 July 2024". mfa.gov.sg. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  136. ^ SITA Slovenská tlačová agentúra a.s. (25 July 2024). "Prezident Pellegrini odišiel do Paríža so zástupcami Slovenského olympijského a športového výboru". SITA.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  137. ^ "President going to Paris ahead of Olympics opening". Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  138. ^ Ray, Craig (24 July 2024). "Paris 2024 Olympics set for spectacular opening amid global political and sporting tension". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  139. ^ "Swiss President at Olympic Games in Paris". Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  140. ^ "Jeux olympiques 2024 : Volodymyr Zelensky absent de la cérémonie d'ouverture". SudOuest.fr (in French). 25 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  141. ^ a b "President Biden Announces Presidential Delegations to Paris, France to Attend the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games". White House. 12 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  142. ^ "Ahead of 2028, Mayor Bass travels with Jill Biden to Paris Olympic Games". ABC7 Los Angeles. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  143. ^ "Lễ viếng Tổng Bí thư Nguyễn Phú Trọng tại Pháp". baoquangngai.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  144. ^ a b "Paris 2024 guest list". Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  145. ^ "Lagarde to skip G20 to feel the Olympic buzz in Paris". Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  146. ^ "Audrey Azoulay to attend Sport Summit 2024". Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  147. ^ "Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General". Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  148. ^ Parker, Claire; Noack, Rick (27 July 2024). "Olympic Ceremonies on the Seine were a daring feat. Paris stuck the landing". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  149. ^ a b Akbar, Arifa (26 July 2024). "Paris Olympics opening ceremony review – soaring ambition deflated by patchy delivery". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  150. ^ "Oui, the French loved the Paris 2024 opening". Deseret News. 28 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  151. ^ "JO de Paris 2024 : plus de 85% des Français ont jugé la cérémonie "réussie", selon un sondage". francetvinfo.fr (in French). 28 July 2024.
  152. ^ "JO de Paris 2024 : de la tension sécuritaire à une fête grandiose, le récit d'une cérémonie d'ouverture historique". Le Monde.fr (in French). 27 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  153. ^ "A la cérémonie d'ouverture des JO 2024, rien que de l'eau, de l'eau de pluie, de l'eau de halo". Liberation.fr (in French). 27 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  154. ^ "Ces images que la cérémonie d'ouverture des JO de Paris 2024 aurait pu nous épargner". lefigaro.fr (in French). 27 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  155. ^ Berman, Judy (26 July 2024). "The Olympics Opening Ceremony Was a Love Letter to Paris". TIME. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  156. ^ Hale, Mike (26 July 2024). "Opening Ceremony Misses the Boat". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  157. ^ Harris, Nicholas (27 July 2024). "The Paris Olympics opening ceremony was more Eurovision than Bastille Day". New Statesman. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  158. ^ Patten, Dominic (26 July 2024). "Olympics Opening Ceremony Review: Paris' Lengthy Spectacle On The Seine Lost In Translation On The Small Screen". Deadline. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  159. ^ Tinubu, Aramide (26 July 2024). "2024 Paris Olympics Launches With a Stunning, Unique and Très French Opening Ceremony: TV Review". Variety. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  160. ^ Lloyd, Robert (27 July 2024). "Review: Olympics opening ceremony shined with best of Paris and France, but failed as TV". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  161. ^ "Olympic opening ceremony was one of France's most-viewed TV events ever". The Brussels Times. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  162. ^ Porter, Rick (27 July 2024). "TV Ratings: Olympics Opening Ceremony Draws Biggest Audience for Summer Games Since 2012". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  163. ^ "Paris Olympics opening ceremony sees surge in Canadian viewership". Canadian Press. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024 – via Toronto Star.
  164. ^ a b c Kaloi, Stephanie (28 July 2024). "Paris Olympics Producers Say 'The Last Supper' Inspired That Opening Ceremony Scene: 'Many Have Done It Before'". TheWrap. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  165. ^ Grohmann, Karolos (28 July 2024). "Olympic ceremony's 'Last Supper' sketch never meant to disrespect, says Paris 2024". Reuters. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  166. ^ "French opposition leader criticizes 'mockery of Christian Last Supper' at Paris Olympics". Anadolu Ajansı. 28 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  167. ^ a b "Upset bishops and mixed reviews for Paris Olympics ceremony". AFP. 27 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024 – via France24.
  168. ^ "Bishops, other Catholics around world decry 'derision' of Christianity at Olympics opening ceremony". Catholic Review. 27 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  169. ^ Smith, Alexanderr; Burke, Minyvonne (27 July 2024). "Drag performance resembling Last Supper at Olympic opening ceremony rankles conservatives". NBC News. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  170. ^ "Drag queen parody of 'The Last Supper' sparks fury at Olympics opening ceremony". TVP World. 27 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  171. ^ Srivastava, Aditi (27 July 2024). "Paris Olympics faces outrage over 'hyper-sexualised and blasphemous' drag act with child". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  172. ^ Reily, Ross. "C Spire, a Mississippi tech company, pulls its ads from the Olympics. See what they said". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  173. ^ Brossier, Aurélien (28 July 2024). "Cérémonie d'ouverture des JO: Thomas Jolly et Daphné Bürki répondent aux critiques de Jean-Luc Mélenchon" [Olympic Games Opening Ceremony: Thomas Jolly and Daphné Bürki Respond to Jean-Luc Mélenchon's Criticism]. BFMTV (in French). Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  174. ^ Henley, Jon (29 July 2024). "Olympic 'Last Supper' scene was in fact based on painting of Greek gods, say art experts". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  175. ^ Bolton, Will (28 July 2024). "Olympic bosses apologise for 'sleazy' drag queen Last Supper parody". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  176. ^ Birrell, Donna (29 July 2024). "'Don't patronise us': Church leaders slam 'half apology' from Olympic organisers over Last Supper scene". Premier Christian Radio. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  177. ^ Atlantico (29 July 2024). "La décapitation des monarques au coeur de l'imaginaire monarchique français". Atlantico (in French). Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  178. ^ Morik, Ryan (26 July 2024). "Opening ceremony nods to headless Marie Antoinette, ménage à trois receive mixed reactions". Fox News. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  179. ^ "Cérémonie d'ouverture des JO : la représentation de Marie-Antoinette décapitée fait polémique". lejdd.fr (in French). 27 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  180. ^ ""Avec l'image de Marie-Antoinette décapitée, la cérémonie d'ouverture des JO a réduit la Révolution à la Terreur"". Le Figaro (in French). 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  181. ^ Cluzel, Gabrielle (29 July 2024). "Pardon, Marie-Antoinette !..." Boulevard Voltaire (in French). Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  182. ^ Gastian, Vincent (28 July 2024). "JO Paris 2024 : La représentation d'une Marie-Antoinette décapitée divise les internautes (et nous aussi)". gillescharles.info (in French). Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  183. ^ Schaffner, lauryn (29 July 2024). "Gojira Fans Mock Critics Calling Band's Olympics Performance 'Satanic'". Loudwire.
  184. ^ "Cérémonie d'ouverture : Colère et incompréhension de personnalités après une séquence où Marie-Antoinette décapitée chante "Ah ! Ca ira": "Qui a pu penser que c'était une bonne idée ?" - Regardez | Jean-Marc Morandini".
  185. ^ P2L (26 July 2024). "JO de Paris et terreur en marche, par Antoine Michel". Vexilla Galliae (in French). Retrieved 28 July 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  186. ^ Fontaine, Nicolas (28 July 2024). "Le prince Charles-Philippe « pleure de honte pour la France » et condamne la cérémonie d'ouverture des Jeux olympiques". Histoires Royales (in French). Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  187. ^ Média, Prisma (29 July 2024). "JO Paris 2024 : choqué par la cérémonie d'ouverture, ce célèbre prince "pleure de honte pour la France" - Gala". Gala.fr (in French). Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  188. ^ "Drag queens shine at Olympics opening, but 'Last Supper' tableau draws criticism". ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  189. ^ "Propagande «woke» et «grossière», «l'extrême droite en PLS» : la classe politique divisée après la cérémonie d'ouverture des JO 2024". Le Figaro (in French). 27 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  190. ^ "JO Paris 2024 : une Marie-Antoinette décapitée chantant «ça ira» divise les internautes". Le Figaro (in French). 26 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  191. ^ "Cérémonie d'ouverture : "C'était assez anarchique (…) donc hyper français", observe le journaliste britannique Stephen Clarke". Franceinfo (in French). 27 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  192. ^ "Cérémonie d'ouverture des JO 2024 : "Dérision et moquerie du christianisme…" Le directeur artistique du show dément s'être inspiré de la Cène". ladepeche.fr (in French). Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  193. ^ Betancourt, Bianca (26 July 2024). "Aya Nakamura Proves Why She's France's Biggest Star at the 2024 Paris Opening Ceremony". Harpers Bazaar. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  194. ^ "L'extrême droite est bien la seule à ne pas apprécier la cérémonie d'ouverture des JO" [Olympic Games Opening Ceremony: The Far Right Is the Only One Not Enjoying the Spectacle]. Le HuffPost (in French). 26 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  195. ^ Fourny, Marc (12 March 2024). "Aya Nakamura pour chanter aux JO : ce qu'en pensent les Français" [Aya Nakamura to sing at the Olympics: what French people think]. Le Point (in French). Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  196. ^ "(2nd LD) (Olympics) 'Games Wide Open': 33rd Summer Olympic Games kick off in Paris". Yonhap News Agency. 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024. As the boat carrying the delegation came into view, the French-speaking announcer said, "Republique populaire democratique de Coree," and the English-speaking announcer followed with "Democratic People's Republic of Korea," the official designation of North Korea.
  197. ^ ""대한민국이 북조선인민공화국(DPRK)이라고?" 초황당 파리올림픽 개회식→문체부X체육회 적극 대응[파리live]". Sports Chosun (in Korean). 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024. 대한민국을 DPRK로 소개한 장내 아나운서의 치명적인 실수에 새벽 TV로 개회식을 지켜보던 국민들이 경악했다. 남성 아나운서가 한국을 프랑스어로 'Republique populaire democratique de coree'로 소개한 후 여성 아나운서가 영어로 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea'라고 반복해 소개했다.
  198. ^ "IOC statement on wrong identification of the team of the Republic of Korea NOC during the Opening Ceremony". olympics.com. 27 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  199. ^ Jee-ho, Yoo (27 July 2024). "(Olympics) S. Korea demands meeting with IOC chief over opening ceremony gaffe". Yonhap News Agency.