Olympic Games open with Seine flotilla and star performances

Macron declared the Games open before showcasing performances by Céline Dion and Lady Gaga under tight security

PARIS:

French President Emmanuel Macron declared the Olympic Games open on Friday after a rain-soaked ceremony along the Seine River, where athletes were cheered by the crowd, dancers performed on the rooftops of Paris, and Lady Gaga sang a French cabaret song.

The ceremony saw France's three-time Olympic gold medallists, Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner, light the Olympic cauldron, which was suspended on a hot-air balloon. Following this, Canada's Céline Dion performed Edith Piaf's "Hymn to Love" in her first public performance in years, drawing huge cheers from the audience.

The ceremony, attended by numerous world leaders and VIPs, was protected by snipers on rooftops, bomb sweeps of the riverbed, and a closed Paris airspace.

Around 45,000 police officers and thousands of soldiers were deployed for security, with armed police patrolling the river in inflatable boats. French and international stars, including Zinedine Zidane, Rafa Nadal, Serena Williams, and three Paralympic athletes, were among the last torchbearers before the cauldron was lit, which will burn until the closing ceremony on August 11.

A fleet of barges transported the competitors along a 6 km stretch of the river, passing some of Paris's most famous landmarks, while performers showcased various sports on floating platforms. This marked the first time an opening ceremony was held outside a stadium, adding to the challenges of a vast security operation. Earlier, a sabotage attack on the high-speed TGV rail network caused travel chaos across France.

"I invite everybody: dream with us. Like the Olympic athletes, be inspired with the joy that only sport can give us. Let us celebrate this Olympic spirit of living in peace," said International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, concluding the ceremony at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

Over 10,500 athletes will compete in the Olympics, 100 years since Paris last hosted the Games. The competition began on Wednesday, and the first of the 329 gold medals will be awarded on Saturday.

The show opened with a giant plume of blue, white, and red smoke over a bridge on the Seine, resembling the French flag. The ceremony included numerous postcard-like depictions of France, such as a large cancan line performed by Moulin Rouge dancers on the riverbanks.

A modern image of France was displayed when French-Malian pop star Aya Nakamura, the most-listened-to French female singer globally, performed her biggest hits alongside the French Republican Guard's army choir. Nakamura's performance drew significant applause, though her inclusion sparked a debate over French identity, with supporters praising her representation of modern France and critics pointing to foreign influences in her music.

Despite the celebration of French culture, fashion, and history, the rain prompted many of the 300,000 spectators lining the river to leave early.

Avid Pureval, a 34-year-old visitor from Ohio, remarked on the uniqueness of the river setting despite the rain. Josephine, from Paris, attending with her 9-year-old daughter, noted that the event would have been better with sunshine.

"Once you're wet, it's fine," he said. Still, he was heading back to his hotel after the French boat passed, long before the ceremony ended.

"It would have been better with sun," said Josephine, from Paris, sitting beside her 9-year-old daughter and who paid 1,600 euros ($1,736) for her seat.

The parade began with applause for the Greek boat, followed by cheers for the refugees' team. The French, US, and Ukrainian delegations also received loud applause. The two most decorated athletes in Olympic history, Michael Phelps and Martin Fourcade, unveiled the gold, silver, and bronze medals. There was also a live crossover to the early morning welcome ceremony at the surfing venue in Tahiti, 16,000 km away.

Despite the heightened security due to recent global conflicts, particularly in Ukraine and Gaza, officials stated there were no specific threats to the opening ceremony or the Games. Israeli competitors, due to the Gaza conflict, were given 24-hour protection and escorted by elite tactical units.

The Israeli delegation received mixed reactions from the crowd, with some boos and chants of "Palestine!" but also many cheers.

President Macron, who hoped the Olympics would bolster his legacy, faced a challenging moment on the international stage following his weakened political standing after a failed legislative bet.