Not even the rain could dampen the City of Light with a dazzling display of artistry marking a spectacular Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Fusing sport and art, the new-look ceremony took athletes and spectators out of a stadium and onto the streets of Paris, winding along the iconic River Seine.
Proudly waving the flag from the top deck of the boat as they led the Australian Team, both Jessica Fox (canoe slalom) and Eddie Ockenden (hockey) carved their own history on the eve of the Games.
Jessica, as the first Australian to compete in Canoe Slalom at four Olympic Games, and Eddie, the first Australian hockey player to compete at five Games, joined the illustrious list of Australians to have carried the flag before them.
A water curtain parted ways at the Pont d’Austerlitz to welcome the 205 delegations assembled across 85 boats, with the visual delights continuing to highlight Parisian history and architecture.
From the technical mastery of Notre-Dame to the storied marvel of the Louvre, Games venues including the Esplanade des Invalides and the Grand Palais, were also featured during the ceremony.
The host nation’s performances paid tribute to the history of France with a sequence of highly unique events embodying the culture, spirit and personality the country is known for.
The Australians in the Athlete’s Village and situated throughout subsites and sub-villages around France and in Tahiti, marked the occasion in their own way, ensuring they were part of the spirit of the Australian Team and the Games themselves.
At the Olympic Village, the Aussie Team gathered to farewell the 80-strong contingent on the float, before joining together to watch the ceremony.
“There’s been so much love and support and excitement from a lot of our teammates. It’s just been really special, that they’re excited to have us represent them,” Jessica said.
“Those moments are just pinch me moments.”
The ceremony culminated in French stars Marie-José Pérec (athletics) and Teddy Riner (judo) jointly lighting the cauldron to mark the official start of the Olympic Games, with it remaining spectacularly suspended over the Tuileries Garden.
Over the next 16 days, the country will rally together to cheer on the 460-strong Australian Team competing across 33 sports.
Zoe Lorenzin
