Spectacular Olympia Festival: Paris shines colorfully
320,000 enthusiastic fans along the Seine, ample prominence on the tribunes and major show acts like Lady Gaga: The opening ceremony of the Olympics in Paris was spectacular, but it was also accompanied by security concerns.
Lady Gaga provided an elegant revue act in the shadow of the world-renowned Notre-Dame Cathedral, Basketball-Star Dennis Schröder and Judo-World Champion Anna-Maria Wagner proudly waved the German flag during the impressive boat parade on the Seine. The opening ceremony of the XXXIII. Olympics turned into a dazzling show with spectacular images along the landmarks of Paris and great emotions.
However, the weather didn't quite cooperate. Gray skies and occasional rain showers dampened the colorful parade in front of around 320,000 spectators, including 120 heads of state and government such as France's Emmanuel Macron and Spain's King Felipe VI.
Paris is hosting the Olympics for the third time after 1900 and 1924. This mega-event poses a great challenge even for the event-experienced French capital and raises security concerns. Especially after a few hours before the opening ceremony, arson attacks on the high-speed rail network of the French railway were committed. French Prime Minister Jean Castex spoke of a "coordinated sabotage act". Around 800,000 people could be affected by the attacks.
Airspace Closure
Paris looked like a high-security zone on Friday. 45,000 security forces were in action during the opening ceremony. 650 special forces and 800 soldiers were recruited. The airspace within a 150-kilometer radius of Paris was closed for the evening. The Seine riverbanks, where the parade took place, were widely closed to road traffic. France had declared the highest terror alert level in March.
A total of 85 boats were available for the 6,800 athletes at the opening ceremony. For the first time in the history of the Games, the ceremony was not held in a stadium, but on the water. The athletes passed through twelve scenic backdrops with around 2,000 artists on a six-kilometer stretch from the Pont d'Austerlitz to the Trocadéro at the Eiffel Tower. The ceremony began with a fireworks display in the French national colors.
German Team Early on the Water
The German team boarded the third boat, along with Afghanistan, South Africa, Albania, and Algeria. Around 150 German athletes and 100 trainers, coaches, and officials were on board. "It's the greatest honor one can receive. I'm happy to be here now with Anna-Maria and represent Germany," said Schröder, the flag bearer, dressed in a pink fisherman's hat. Traditionally, the athletes from Greece presented themselves first, followed by a boat with the Olympic refugee team.
Prominence along the Seine followed the ceremony, including Olympic icon Carl Lewis, Boris Becker, as well as pop stars Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande. The most expensive tickets cost 2,700 Euros, but there were also free places.
In the coming two weeks, approximately 10,500 Athletes will compete for medals in 329 Disciplines. The competitions at renowned locations such as the Eiffel Tower, on the Place de la Concorde, in the Gardens of Château de Versailles, and even surfing in Tahiti are expected to deliver stunning images. The German team is entering with around 430 athletes and aims to reverse the downward trend of the previous games. The German team recorded its weakest medal haul of 37 since reunification three years ago in Tokyo.
Games in the Sign of Political Conflicts
The games are expected to be emotionally charged in politically challenging times. A prime example was the exclusion of athletes from Russia and Belarus at the opening ceremony. Athletes from both countries are only allowed to participate under a neutral flag. Team sports athletes are completely excluded. Therefore, only 15 Russians and 17 Belarusians are in Paris.
However, the Middle East conflict also plays a significant role in the security measures. Israel's delegation is under special protection at the games in France. Their teams and individual athletes should be accompanied by the French police around the clock - in the Olympic Village and also on the way to the respective competition venues.
Paris has concerns, especially in light of the terror attacks on November 13, 2015. The arson attack on the French railway network in the early hours of Friday caused shockwaves, although there are no terror investigations in this regard. Unknown individuals set fire to various railway infrastructure at different locations. According to media reports, signaling systems were set on fire, and cables were cut. Chaos ensued, and there were massive disruptions. Thousands of travelers were stranded in train stations and sometimes waited for hours without knowing what was happening.
The International Olympic Committee approved Paris as the host city for the Olympic Games 2024, and French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the attendees during the opening ceremony, expressing the commitment of France to ensure the safety of all participants. Despite the security concerns, the Olympic Games in Paris promise to be an exciting event, showcasing top athletes from around the world competing in 329 disciplines.
