Paris Olympics 2024: Dozens of boats cruise on the Seine for the grand opening ceremony
As the Paris Olympics 2024 fever intensifies, dozens of boats cruised on the Seine River in a rehearsal on Monday, June 17, for the unique opening ceremony ahead of the mega event next month.
A total of 55 boats journeyed from Pont d'Austerlitz, named after a French military victory in 1805, to Pont d'Iena, a short distance from the Eiffel Tower, the country’s most recognizable monument.
Paris Olympics 2024 organizers and officials are confident of conducting a very smooth four-hour grand opening ceremony on July 26. Thierry Reboul, the executive director for ceremonies had his say on the preparations in the run-up to the Olympics.
“Six months ago we had like 10 minutes delay on the timing and today we are very close, almost to the second to our targets. So it is very satisfying. We've respected an extremely precise level of timing,” Reboul stated (via Outlook).
Around 200 Olympic delegations will be a part of the parade on more than 80 boats on the day of the opening ceremony, journeying from east to west for around six kilometers.
“We will give our heart and souls to make it a great success” - France’s Sports Minister on Paris Olympics opening ceremony
In mid-April, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the opening ceremony could be shifted to Stade de France owing to security concerns. However, Thierry Reboul emphasized that the organizers are going ahead as per the original schedule with no alternatives planned.
Additionally, there will be a final rehearsal, involving a fleet of boats, before the opening ceremony. On the special day, boats are expected to bring around 100 world leaders to the city's embankments, where more than 300,000 people will watch on.
“We will give our heart and souls to make it a great success for the French people. They deserve it,” France's Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra said.
The rehearsal took place under tight security, witnessing 10 police speedboats, equipped with television cameras, shadowing the convoy. Furthermore, multiple armed police officers were stationed at various points.
The boats crossed 16 bridges, moving past a few iconic landmarks such as the green-tinged Grand Palais, the venue for fencing and Taekwondo events at the Paris Olympics.