Top line
This Friday’s Olympic Opening Ceremony is set to make history as the first-ever outdoor (and floating) ceremony that will see more than 10,000 athletes, dozens of influential political figures and thousands of performers pull out all the stops to mark the start of the 2024 Summer Games in Paris.
The Olympic rings on the Trocadéro esplanade in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Highlights
The opening ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. EDT and will see thousands of people, including athletes, float down the Seine on hundreds of custom-made floats.
The ever-spectacular event has plenty of surprises in store – no big-name artists have been revealed despite rumors of some of America’s biggest stars – and will mark the official start of France’s third Olympic Games.
LeBron James was chosen as the United States flag bearer on Monday, and on Wednesday, tennis star Coco Gauff was also chosen to carry the American flag at the ceremony.
Among the influential American figures who will participate in ceremonies surrounding the Games are First Lady Jill Biden, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
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When and where to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games?
The live broadcast will begin at 12:00 p.m. ET on Friday, with the opening ceremony at 1:30 p.m. It will air on NBC and Peacock, NBC’s streaming service. NBC will rebroadcast the ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
What happens at the opening ceremony?
For the first time, the opening ceremony will take place outside a stadium, with a parade of nations taking place on the Seine River in Paris, in front of the Eiffel Tower. Each of the 91 national delegations will have its own float in the parade, and first lady Jill Biden has been named head of the U.S. delegation, which will include U.S. Ambassador to France Denise Campbell Bauer, Bass, and three-time Olympic medalists Dawn Staley and Brian Biotano. The parade will end in front of the Trocadéro, where artists will perform and the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic torch will take place.
US First Lady Jill Biden introduces the first day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics … (+)
When and where to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games?
The live broadcast will begin at 12:00 p.m. ET on Friday, with the opening ceremony at 1:30 p.m. It will air on NBC and Peacock, NBC’s streaming service. NBC will rebroadcast the ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
What happens at the opening ceremony?
For the first time, the opening ceremony will take place outside a stadium, with a parade of nations taking place on the Seine River in Paris, in front of the Eiffel Tower. Each of the 91 national delegations will have its own float in the parade, and first lady Jill Biden has been named head of the U.S. delegation, which will include U.S. Ambassador to France Denise Campbell Bauer, Bass, and three-time Olympic medalists Dawn Staley and Brian Biotano. The parade will end in front of the Trocadéro, where artists will perform and the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic torch will take place.
US First Lady Jill Biden introduces the first day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics … (+)
Who will perform at the Olympic opening ceremony?
Most of the performances planned for the Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies have remained under wraps, but R&B singer Aya Nakamura is also a confirmed guest by French President Emmanuel Macron this spring. The ceremony’s artistic director, Thomas Jolly, has said he wants to “show France in all its diversity,” but has remained tight-lipped about specifics, telling The Associated Press, “All I can tell you is that it will be very meaningful for the artists who will perform.” In total, 3,000 performers, including several hundred dancers, are expected to participate in the opening and closing ceremonies. “Drag Race France” judge Daphne Burki is the costume designer for the events.
Will Lady Gaga Perform at the Olympics?
Organizers have not confirmed any appearance by Lady Gaga, despite rumors that had fans convinced she would perform. Lady Gaga was spotted arriving in Paris earlier this week, and Jolly began following her on Instagram earlier this month. The official Olympics Twitter account also hinted at a performer in a black balaclava and chrome accessories with the phrase, “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
Will Celine Dion perform at the Olympics?
Rumors that Celine Dion will perform live for the first time in four years at the Olympics have gained momentum in recent days, and French interim sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra added fuel to the fire Wednesday by saying the legendary musician’s presence in Paris was “no coincidence.”
What are the first Olympic events?
The first matches of the Olympics will be played on Wednesday in football and rugby. The men’s football team will face France at 3pm on Wednesday and the women’s football team will face Zambia at 3pm on Thursday. The first Olympic medals will be awarded on Saturday in the mixed team 10m air rifle shooting event.
Jane Campbell of the United States saves the ball during USWNT training at the training grounds in … (+)
When will the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games take place?
“The Tonight Show’s” Jimmy Fallon and sportscaster Mike Tirico will host the Olympic Closing Ceremony on NBC, which will begin live at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 11 on NBC. Fan-favorite commentators Terry Gannon, Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski will provide commentary, and Douglas Emhoff, husband of Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris, will lead the U.S. delegation at the event. The ceremony is expected to include performances by French celebrities, a parade of flags, a parade of athletes and the final medal ceremony, which will recognize athletes in the marathon, basketball, modern pentathlon, volleyball and water polo. The Los Angeles Olympic Committee will then give viewers a sneak peek at what’s to come in 2028.
What should you pay attention to?
Potential strikes. Dancers who had signed up to perform at the opening ceremony have filed a strike notice due to low pay and “gross inequalities in treatment,” according to the British outlet Express. Unionists said more than 3,000 dancers, acrobats and actors working for the opening ceremony were doing so for little or no pay and were being recruited under “shameful conditions.” The strike notice was filed for Friday, the day of the opening ceremony.
Large number
300,000. That’s the number of spectators expected at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
Further reading