(
MENAFN- Khaleej Times)
Published: Sat 27 Jul 2024, 2:18 AM
The 14-member UAE team joined thousands of athletes as Olympic competitors cruised down the River Seine in a spectacular opening ceremony for the Paris Games on Friday that celebrated French history and culture to the delight of a crowd undeterred by persistent rain.
Equestrian rider Omar Al Marzouqi, silver medalist at the Asian Games last year, and cyclist Safiya Al Sayegh were the flag-bearers for the UAE at the opening ceremony.
For the first time in Olympic history, the opening ceremony took place outside the main stadium with up to 7,000 athletes parading down the Seine past the historic monuments of the French capital.
French football legend Zinedine Zidane carries the Olympic torch during the opening ceremony. - AFP
In an ambitious, high-risk departure from past opening ceremonies, the athletes sailed in an armada of 85 boats instead of making the traditional walk around a running track.
Saudi Arabian athletes during the opening ceremony. - Reuters
Some 300,000 people watched in person from specially built stands on the river banks, and another 200,000 from overlooking balconies and apartments.
As tradition dictates, the Greek delegation had the honour of leading out the flotilla, as the cradle of the modern Olympic movement.
Athletes of China wave their flags. - Reuters
The show blended French culture and history while a pre-recorded cabaret-style segment from US pop star Lady Gaga featured prominently in the early stages of the parade.
Athletes of Argentina during the opening ceremony. - Reuters
Franco-Malian R&B superstar Aya Nakamura, the most listened to French-speaking singer in the world, also sang, defying criticism from far-right activists.
Teams from Uruguay and Ukraine move down the Seine River as the Eiffel Tower is seen in the background in Paris. - Reuters
Critics had accused the 29-year-old singer, best known for her hit "Djadja", of "vulgarity" and disrespecting the French language in her lyrics.
Athletes of Philippines during the opening ceremony. - Reuters
Dozens of pink-skirted can-can dancers provided a stunning splash of colour on the banks of the Seine in another standout moment.
Flagbearers Maude Charron and Andre de Grasse of Canada. - Reuters
The landmarks and architecture of the City of Light featured as a backdrop both to Friday's show and will play the same role for much of the sport afterwards.
Athletes of Japan wave their national flags. - Reuters
Paris's vision is for a more cost-effective and less polluting Olympics than previous editions, with competitions set to take place at historic locations around the capital.
Brazilian athletes during the opening ceremony. - Reuters
Despite the heavy rain, and a wave of attacks which paralysed France's high-speed rail network early Friday, chief Games organiser Tony Estanguet said before the ceremony started he was confident of putting on "a great party".
Athletes from the Refugee Olympic Team during the opening ceremony. The Refugee Olympic Team is a group made up of independent Olympic participants who are refugees. - AFP
Some spectators refused to let the drizzle get them down. "I've got such an adrenaline rush. It's very exciting," said Selene Martinez, who had travelled from Mexico for the ceremony.
Athletes of Egypt gesture during the opening ceremony. - Reuters
Long queues had formed at access points along the Seine hours before the start of the parade.
Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal carries the Olympic flame. - AFP
After passing scanners and checkpoints, the first arrivals discovered the numerous floating stages installed in the river channel and bridges that have been festooned with flags and the pink-and-purple colours of the Games.
Athletes of India during the opening ceremony. - Reuters
French athletes pose during the opening ceremony. - Reuters
"The atmosphere is really friendly," said 75-year-old Frenchman Jean-Yves Herve, who watched the show with his grand-daughter.
"There are lots of foreigners, we're enjoying it. It's good for France."
Surfing athlete Alan Cleland Quinonez of Mexico. - Reuters
A huge security operation was in place for the ceremony, with a security perimeter erected along both banks of the Seine.
Flagbearer Thomas Daley of Britain poses for a photo with his coach Jane Figueiredo during the opening ceremony. - Reuters
The ceremony was guarded by 45,000 police and paramilitary officers and another 10,000 soldiers and 22,000 private security guards will complete the security operation.
Athletes of Palestine during the opening ceremony. - Reuters
Police snipers were perched on vantage points along the river, which is overlooked by hundreds of buildings.
The Eiffel Tower is seen during the opening ceremony in Paris. - AFP
French security forces are on their highest alert to prevent terror attacks spoiling the start of the first Olympics in Paris in 100 years, while acts of sabotage from hostile foreign powers were also a known risk.
Athletes of Pakistan during the opening ceremony. - Reuters
French officials refused to comment on the identity of those responsible for the rail sabotage who appear to have had a sophisticated understanding of the network.
Flagbearers Eddie Ockenden and Jessica Fox of Australia. - Reuters
It affected 800,000 passengers and prevented some Eurostar services crossing the Channel, preventing British sports fans from coming to the Olympics.
Athletes of the US during the opening ceremony.- Reuters
Far-left French anarchists have a history of targeting the train network with arson attacks.
Athletes of South Korea during the opening ceremony. - Reuters
Suspicions might also fall on Russia, which French President Emmanuel Macron has said in the past was planning to target the Games.
Meanwhile, Celine Dion made a comeback to the live stage on Friday singing Edith Piaf's classic "L'Hymne A l'Amour" to close the Olympics opening ceremony.
Athletes of Team Ukraine during the opening ceremony. - Reuters
The 56-year-old singer said in late 2022 that she had been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome that causes muscle spasms.
Dion, best known for the "Titanic" movie theme song "My Heart Will Go On", was first spotted in Paris on Tuesday, triggering speculation that she would be part of Friday's extravaganza.
ALSO READ:
From paddy fields to the podium: How Neeraj Chopra became Olympic champion
From Palestine to Paris: Dubai-based swimmer shares his Olympic story
'Our mums were crying': Dubai swimmers share their Olympic joy
MENAFN27072024000049011007ID1108488281