New Delhi: The stage is set for an epic event that would bring the world to a standstill as Paris gets ready to host a one-of-a-kind opening ceremony. The opening ceremony will not be held in a stadium but on a river with lakhs of spectators cheering on the athletes from the sidelines of the River Seine. The sporting celebrations will be held on the historic river and the whole city will turn into a huge stadium.
An armada of 80 boats will carry over 200 delegations of athletes in the river Seine, making a journey from east to west, crossing several historic bridges in the French capital.
The epic journey will conclude at a temporary stadium named Champions Park erected near the Eiffel Tower. The venue, which boasts a capacity of 13, 000, will host the opening declaration from French President Emmanuel Macron and the conclusion of the ceremony.
As Paris gears up for an opening ceremony like no other, News9 revisits the most iconic opening ceremony moments in Olympics history.
Barcelona 1992 Olympics
Who can forget the memorable moment from the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona where Paralympic archer Antonio Rebollo shot a flaming arrow into the Olympic cauldron to light the flame and signal the beginning of the 25th edition of the Summer Olympics?
This was special at Barcelona 1992 opening ceremony to light the giant torch. What should we expect tomorrow?#Paris2024 #OlympicGames pic.twitter.com/o9UGanDfLn
— Bolarinwa Olajide (@iambolar) July 25, 2024
Sydney 2000 Olympics
In a landmark moment in Australian sporting history, Aboriginal athlete Cathy Freeman lit the Olympic flame in a mesmerising opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games and ten days later won the gold medal in the women’s 400 metres race, capping off a remarkable campaign.
Congratulations to all of those who found the answer. It was in fact Cathy Freeman at Sydney 2000 🔥.pic.twitter.com/QaiR6nZOkn
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) February 28, 2021
Australian athlete Cathy Freeman, holding a bouquet of flowers, on the winners’ podium during the medal ceremony following the women’s 400-metre event of the 2000 Summer Olympics, held at Stadium Australia in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 25th September 2000. (Photo by Lutz Bongarts/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Beijing 2008 Olympics
In another spectacular moment in the history of the Olympics, gymnast Li Ning was hoisted skyward before circling the rim of the Bird’s Nest Stadium before providing the spark to light up the cauldron in the Beijing Games.
OPENING CEREMONIES – Former Chinese Olympian Li Ning appears to run with the Olympic torch along the roof of the National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest, during opening ceremonies for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, Friday, Aug. 8, 2008, in Beijing. ( Smiley N. Pool / Chronicle ) (Photo by Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
Atlanta 1996 Olympics
Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, who won the gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics, lit the Olympic flame in what became one of the most emotional moments in the history of the Games. The man with the iron fists, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984 – just three years after retiring from boxing – lit the 1996 Olympics flame with his hands visibly shaking due to the deadly disease.
Muhammad Ali lights the Olympic Flame at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. pic.twitter.com/kR7iTheYMf
— Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) April 15, 2024
London 2012 Olympics
Who can forget the stunning entry of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was joined by James Bond at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics?
The Queen ‘parachuting’ with James Bond for the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics 😂
pic.twitter.com/eGzNYqEQu3 https://t.co/a3pFzqvve6
— LADbible (@ladbible) February 27, 2024
With a ceremony like no other planned in French capital, the Paris 2024 Games is set to join an elite list.
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As Paris gears up for an opening ceremony like no other, News9 revisits the most iconic opening ceremony moments in Olympics history. Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
