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\u2019s 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 Trocad\u00e9ro, where the final Olympic protocols and celebrations will unfold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The motto of the 2024 Paris Olympics is “Games Wide Open” (Ouvrons grand les Jeux). It embodies the organisers\u2019 commitment to hosting an inclusive and spectacular event. Breaking tradition, the ceremony will begin with the Parade as part of Paris 2024\u2019s constant aim to hold Games created for and by athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 \u00cele Saint Louis and \u00cele de la Cit\u00e9 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 I\u00e9na bridge before the Trocad\u00e9ro for the ceremony\u2019s final. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 I\u00e9na 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Olympics](\"https:\/\/www.sitata.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/image-1-1024x682.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSchedule and Key Events<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sitata.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/image-2-1024x683.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBroadcast and Viewing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n