With a rule-breaking opening ceremony full of stars and fantasy, Paris, known for being the birthplace of the revolution, celebrated its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday. The event demonstrated the city’s resiliency as authorities dealt with suspected sabotage that targeted France’s high-speed rail network.
The mood before the ceremony had been soured by widespread travel disruptions brought on by what French officials claimed were coordinated arson attacks on high-speed rail lines and by rain in Paris.
However, as viewers worldwide tuned in, Paris gave it its all, showcasing exuberant French cancan dancers from the outset. Spirits were raised by the spectacular opening of the show at 7:30 p.m. Football legend Zinedine Zidane appeared in a light-hearted short film. French blue, white, and red smoke plumes seemed next. To add a cabaret feel to the opening of what is anticipated to be a show lasting over three hours, Lady Gaga sang in French while dancers shook pink pompoms.
Packed spectators lining the Seine River’s edge “oohed” and “aahed” as Olympic teams started to parade their boats down the canal. For France, the stakes were very high. The world watched as Paris transformed into a massive outdoor theatre with dozens of heads of state and government in attendance. Paris enacted a ceremony along the Seine River that transformed the city’s famous monuments into performance spaces for singers, dancers, and other performers.
Also Read:
Chaos Ensues From Saboteurs’ Attack on French Railways Just Hours Before the Olympic Ceremony
Residents of Dubai’s Sustainable City Receive Food and Groceries Delivered by Autonomous Robots
