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Published 12:03 IST, July 25th 2024

Paris Olympics 2024 Breaks Tradition with Unique Opening Ceremony Venue Outside Stadium

Paris Olympics 2024 will showcase a distinctive opening ceremony breaking tradition by opting for a non-stadium venue to start the event.

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Paris Olympics Torch Relay
Athlete Sandra Laoura hold the Olympic torch in the courtyard of the Louvre museum | Image: AP

Planned for July 26 along the scenic River Seine in Paris, the much-awaited grand opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024 marks a historic first whereby an Olympic event takes place outside the boundaries of a stadium. The special environment guarantees a visually appealing and engaging experience, therefore preparing the ground for an unforgettable beginning of the major athletic event.

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Why is the 2024 Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony being held outside the stadium?

With their intriguing new concept that promises to be absolutely amazing, the Paris 2024 Olympics will transform the classic Opening Ceremony. The first Olympic Opening Ceremony scheduled outside a stadium on July 26 will turn Paris into a remarkable venue. The athletes' procession on boats over the River Seine, passing by the most famous sites in the city, will take front stage in this creative celebration. The river will take front stage for this event instead of the conventional course.

A vivid river procession emphasising the rich history and amazing architecture of Paris will delight watchers and spectators right in the middle of the city. The main canal of the city, the Seine, will be the venue instead of the typical track; the riverbanks will act as spectator stands. The ceremony will have an amazing backdrop from the reflections of the well-known Parisian sites created by the setting sun.

People from all over the world will be able to watch the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics, making it the biggest one ever. The event will start at the Austerlitz Bridge, which is close to the Jardin des Plantes. About 10,500 athletes will be on a flotilla of nearly 100 boats that will journey west for six kilometres. The parade will go under old bridges and by famous buildings and sites, such as Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and a number of Olympic grounds, such as the Grand Palais and the Esplanade des Invalides.

There will be almost 100 boats in the parade. The bigger National Olympic Committees will have their own boats, while the smaller ones will share. 

The fleet will end its trip at the Trocadéro, which is right next to the Eiffel Tower and where the formal ceremonies will take place. As part of this, the Olympic flame will be lit and the official start of the Paris 2024 Games will be announced. It's likely that this Opening Ceremony will go down in history as one of the most memorable in the games' long history.

The head of the organising group, Tony Estanguet, has said that this huge plan will turn the whole city into a huge Olympic stadium. There will be over 200 groups floating down the Seine, and thousands of people will be watching from the sides of the river. The event, which is set to begin at 11 p.m. IST, will include thousands of performers and well-known politicians. This is France's third time having the Olympics.

Updated 12:05 IST, July 25th 2024