The 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held in Paris, France from 26 July to 11 August 2024. Paris’ iconic landmarks have been transformed into sporting arenas to offer spectators an unparalleled experience and provide an outstanding backdrop for sporting excellence. As the city gears up for the biggest event ever held in France, anticipation builds with each passing day, creating an atmosphere of unparalleled excitement and preparation. The Games promise a grand spectacle with 35 venues, 32 sports (including 4 new ones), 329 events, and the participation of over 10,500 athletes.

The Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony marks the official commencement of the Olympic Games, celebrating the spirit of unity, sportsmanship, and culture. It is a grand event that showcases the host country’s culture while welcoming athletes from around the world. The ceremony will be held on 26 July. For the first time in Olympic Summer Games history, the Opening Ceremony will not be held in a stadium instead it will be held along the Seine, the city’s main artery. Each national delegation will take part in the Parade aboard boats equipped with cameras for close-up views by television and online viewers. Athletes representing 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and approximately 120 heads of state, sovereigns, and heads of government will be in attendance. The Parade will begin from the east and wind westward through the heart of Paris. The 6-kilometre route will end at Trocadéro, where the final Olympic protocols and celebrations will unfold.

The motto of the 2024 Paris Olympics is “Games Wide Open” (Ouvrons grand les Jeux). It embodies the organisers’ commitment to hosting an inclusive and spectacular event. Breaking tradition, the ceremony will begin with the Parade as part of Paris 2024’s constant aim to hold Games created for and by athletes.

Schedule and Key Events

The ceremony will begin at 19:30 hours (local time). The Parade with the various athlete delegations will depart from the Austerlitz bridge, beside the Jardin des Plantes and make its way around the Île Saint Louis and Île de la Cité islands. Passing several bridges and gateways, the delegations will get glimpses of some of the official Games venues such as the Place de la Concorde, the Esplanade des Invalides, and the Grand Palais. The Parade will finally stop at the Iéna bridge before the Trocadéro for the ceremony’s final. 

At the final venue, protocol events including the playing of the national anthem, the symbolic release of doves, speeches and oaths will take place. The Olympic Flame brought from Olympia (Greece) will then be lit by the final torchbearer to mark the official opening of the Games. The Olympic cauldron will remain lit for the duration of the Games and will be extinguished only during the closing ceremony.

Broadcast and Viewing

In another first, the ceremony will be open to most spectators for free. Visitors and Parisians on the upper quays can watch the ceremony for free. Tickets will be required for access to the lower quays from the Austerlitz bridge to the Iéna bridge. The Games are committed to the theme of inclusion. Paris 2024 aims for all ceremonies to be accessible to people from all walks of life. Infrastructure (seating areas or stands) and seats for individuals with disabilities will also be available. Eighty giant screens across Paris will also allow everyone to enjoy the magical atmosphere of this show.

The ceremony will be broadcast globally on major television networks, ensuring worldwide viewership. Spectators can also watch the livestream on the official Paris 2024 Olympics website and various streaming platforms. A whopping 1.5 billion is the average number of television and online viewers expected to watch the Opening Ceremony.

In conclusion, the 2024 Paris Olympics promise to be a landmark event, marked by innovation, inclusivity, and a celebration of athletic excellence. The Closing Ceremony for the Olympic Games will be held at the Stade de France on 11 August. As the world eagerly awaits, the “Games Wide Open” motto encapsulates the spirit of unity and ambition that will define this historic occasion.
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