An Opening Ceremony Like We've Never Seen Before
Baby let the games begin
I’m realizing after this weekend that there are few things I love more than watching hours and hours straight of Olympic sports that I previously had little to no knowledge about. I’m seriously obsessed with this summer’s Olympic Games—from cheering on our gymnasts and swimmers (Go Hoos!), to Lebron, KD, and Steph Curry, to skateboarding (Hi Jagger Eaton), to sports like rugby and beach volleyball I didn’t know I could be captivated by—I love it all. It’s where athletes from around the globe come together to compete, inspire, and constantly make me question my own workout regimens. But let’s not forget the pièce de résistance of this grand spectacle: the Opening Ceremony. It’s not just a parade of flags; it’s a symphony of experiential design.
Paris, a city synonymous with style, has set the bar for the 2024 Games by weaving its inherent chicness into every thread of the ceremony. For those who didn’t tune in on Friday afternoon, imagine this: instead of a traditional stadium setting, the festivities spilled out onto the Seine River. The river became the stage, and the city’s historic landmarks provided a breathtaking backdrop.
The entire ceremony was a spectacle of fluidity and movement against the setting sun, and eventual torrential downpour. Boats, floats, and illuminated barges transformed the Seine into a shimmering parade route. And if that isn’t enough to dazzle your senses, picture the Eiffel Tower glittering against the Parisian night sky. The Paris 2024 team turned the whole city into a stage.
Artistic Director Thomas Jolly was the mastermind behind the event. He was “determined to both play with and subvert these [French] stereotypes, believing that opening ceremonies often tell the story of a country,” says AP News. Jolly intended to play with the classic cliches, but simultaneously challenge them to celebrate inclusion and diversity. This was the first time the opening ceremony had been held outside of a stadium, so there were quite literally no boundaries to what he could create.
There were many moments that stood out to me over the almost four hour procession with performances and pre-filmed video montages punctuating the athletes’ cruise down the Seine. I like how it was organized into “chapters,” with each denotation setting the tone for the performances to follow. All in all, it was weird, it was entertaining, and it was very French. Let’s take a look at a few of my favorite vignettes from the celebration:
The Les Miserables to Marie Antoinette’s Severed Head Transition
Yes… you read that correctly. Please PLEASE watch, here.
Performers embraced France’s dramatic and tumultuous history with a riveting blend of elements from Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables and the electrifying heavy metal of the band Gojira.
Dancers vividly reenacted scenes from the iconic novel-turned-musical, evocatively moving through Parisian sewers—where Jean Valjean, the story’s protagonist, eluded the authorities on charges of theft.
The spectacle was punctuated by a powerful visual: the word “Liberté” flashed across the screen, followed by a dramatic appearance of a beheaded Marie Antoinette. This surreal transition catapulted viewers into a high-octane heavy-metal performance by the Seine River.
Can’t get more French than that!
Metal Horse Races Down the Seine to Deliver the Olympic Flag
As the ceremony traced the winding course of the Seine, live cameras captured a mesmerizing scene: a mechanical horse and rider, suspended above the river, elegantly galloped across the water atop a concealed submarine. This marvel glided with the Olympic flag, creating a surreal scene that fused industrial artistry with the romance of Parisian waterways.
As the mechanical steed made its exit from the river, it was replaced by a live horse and a figure cloaked in a shimmering silver robe. They then led a procession of all 205 delegations toward the iconic Trocadéro. In a moment of solemn ceremony, the silver figure carried the Olympic flag, slowly raising it in a tribute to the gathered nations.
Céline Dion Brought the House Down
Céline Dion’s performance to close the ceremony was nothing short of a tour de force, embodying a masterclass in creative direction. For this momentous event, viewers first were enchanted by a glowing hot air balloon slowing rising in the sky over the lit up city. As the camera switches to a glittering, monumental Eiffel Tower, we see a tiny Céline against the backdrop of the huge Olympic rings. The performance seamlessly integrated Dion’s powerful vocals with the grandeur of Paris’s historical landmark.
Dressed in an ethereal gown that shimmered like the lights of the Eiffel Tower, Dion captivated the audience with a rendition of Edith Piaf's "Hymne à l'amour.” The stage design was a marvel of experiential artistry - can you even imagine a more beautiful scene for this performance? As Dion’s voice soared, it felt as if she was not merely performing but channeling the very spirit of the city. The creative direction of this performance not only highlighted Dion’s vocal power but also underscored France’s commitment to blending national pride with Olympic spectacle.
In the end, it’s a reminder that great design isn’t just about making things look beautiful; it’s about crafting experiences that resonate on a deeper level. Paris 2024 is set to be a masterclass in this philosophy.
GO TEAM USA!
xoxo
Abbie