Paris Olympic Games Opening Ceremony

The Paris Olympic Games opened on Friday night with a dazzling riverside spectacle.

An army of boats carried athletes along the Seine, dancers performed from high poles, and drag queens paraded on bridges. Despite heavy rain, the Eiffel Tower lit up with the Olympic rings.

Despite early challenges, including sabotage of France’s high-speed rail network and rainy weather, the ceremony showcased a grand display of music, art, and culture.

Held along the Seine River, New Zealand entered the ceremony with flag bearers Aaron Gate and Jo Aleh. We are represented by 195 athletes across 23 sports, with the youngest being 18-year-old footballer Milly Clegg and the oldest, 45-year-old equestrian Tim Price.

The event began with 6,800 athletes transported from the Olympic Village to Pont d’Austerlitz. Greece’s boat set out first, followed by the Olympic refugee team and other nations. The Ukrainian delegation received a massive ovation.

France promised the biggest open-air show on Earth, and more than 300,000 people watched from the riverside and bridges. The show featured dance, live music, and acrobatics along 6 kilometers of the river, from Pont d’Austerlitz to the Eiffel Tower. Lady Gaga set the tone with a playful cabaret performance.

In a dramatic finale, a mysterious figure carried the Olympic flame across Paris rooftops. The event, watched by a billion viewers, included filmed segments featuring France’s former football star Zinedine Zidane. Despite the rain, the opening ceremony showcased Paris’s determination and creativity.

The French-Canadian singer Celine Dion made a surprise appearance, marking her first public performance since her 2022 diagnosis with stiff person syndrome. She performed Hymne à l’amour from the balcony of the glowing Eiffel Tower after the Olympic torch was lit.

Ten gold statues of notable French women were unveiled during the ceremony. These statues, celebrating figures like philosopher Simone de Beauvoir and explorer Jeanne Barret, will be permanently displayed in Paris.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed world leaders and emphasized peace and tolerance, highlighting the Olympics as a unifying global event.