Opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics: A massive security operation including thousands of military and some 45,000 police has been put in place in Paris for the spectacle.
Despite the prospect of rain and tight security, Paris is anticipating the opening ceremony of the giant athletic event on Friday with great excitement. Olympic fever has struck the French city. The enormous athletic spectacle was hosted by France at great financial expense, and the excitement building before the opening ceremony is encouraging for the organizers.
Along the Seine River, the artists will be transported alongside the athletes from many nations in a flotilla of boats. Four hours of entertainment are anticipated for the inaugural event, which will begin at 11:00 PM IST.
A sabotage strike on the high-speed TGV train network caused travel mayhem across the nation, but it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the fans in the French cities, who flocked in large numbers to congregate along the riverbanks.
Crowds gathered along the riverbanks hours after a sabotage assault on the high-speed TGV rail network created travel disruption throughout France.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so we’re really excited. After going past security near the Pont de l’Alma bridge with her mother and niece, 17-year-old Elise Boukorrass commented, “We have no idea what to expect for the parade so it will be the total surprise.”
“The security checks were a bit long but it’s worth it.”
American visitors Olivia Collins and her high school swimmer daughter Devin had made their first trip to Paris.
Indeed, we’re thrilled. Correct?” stated Collins. “We’ve been planning the trip for like two years.”
A massive security operation for the opening event in Paris has involved the deployment of thousands of soldiers and some 45,000 police officers. Along the river, police established a security zone, enclosing neighborhoods with metal bars and requiring authorization to enter with passes with QR codes.
A 19-year-old Parisian biochemistry student named Jean Landerretche stated, “There are more cops than people, I don’t feel in danger.” He also didn’t mind the rain “as long as it’s not really bad storms.”
Declaring, “I want the world to see how beautiful this city is,” Landerretche expressed his excitement at being at the first-ever opening ceremony that wasn’t held inside a stadium.
Julie Tourtet, a 27-year-old volunteer at the Games, said, “I think it’s going to be a huge party. I can’t wait to see how they managed to take the ceremony out of the stadium.” “It’s really the Olympic spirit: it brings people together, it’s moving, we’re going to get a huge rush of emotion.”
However, not everyone was as excited.
The 26-year-old Chinese tourist Aimee Wang described the vibe in Paris as “just so so.”
She was going to watch a couple of the athletic events with a buddy. but were not so excited about the opening ceremony.
“Today’s prices are really high. “I think we’re just going to watch at our friend’s house,” her 26-year-old pal Henry Pan remarked.
“But the train disruptions could prevent some people from coming in today and we might be able to find cheap tickets at the last minute.”
Some were able to view the concert live without a ticket.
When 48-year-old Alexandre Pichot moved onto a houseboat on the Seine, he had no idea that they would enjoy front-row tickets to the opening ceremony. It’s very amazing. We have excellent company, delicious food, and fine French wine,” he said. “It’s perfect.”
