On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron officially inaugurated the Paris Olympics with a grand opening ceremony featuring a unique parade on the Seine River.
Athletes traversed the iconic river by boat, receiving enthusiastic cheers from spectators lining the banks. Adding to the festive atmosphere, Lady Gaga delivered a captivating performance of a classic French cabaret song.
A highlight of the evening was the lighting of the Olympic cauldron by French sporting legends Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner, both three-time gold medalists. In a breathtaking moment, the cauldron was suspended from a hot-air balloon. Following this, Canadian superstar Celine Dion serenaded the crowd with Edith Piaf’s “Hymn to Love.”
This year’s opening ceremony marked a historic first, taking place outside a traditional stadium setting. The outdoor event presented additional challenges for security, which were intensified by a high-speed TGV rail network sabotage attack earlier in the day, causing significant travel disruptions across France.
