The 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony
The 2024 Opening Ceremony started off with its performances, which continued simultaneously as the parade of nations occurred via the athletes arriving at the Olympic Stadium.
The other day the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics took place in Paris. While the opening ceremony generally involves having a series of performances take place prior to the parade of nations, the 2024 Opening Ceremony started off with its performances, which continued simultaneously as the parade of nations occurred via the athletes arriving at the Olympic Stadium on boats sailing down the Seine River.
If the Summer Olympics are ever held in Miami, having the athletes arrive at the Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony via boat would be a good idea.
There were various individuals performing at the opening ceremony, including Celine Dion and Lady Gaga. The torchbearers consisting of various athletes, as well as a hooded figure representing Arsene Lupin, the Phantom of the Opera, and Sequana (the goddess of the Seine). I’m surprised Quasimodo wasn’t asked to help carry the torch.
Another segment of the opening ceremony involved a female member of the Gendamerie named Florianne Issert rode a mechanical horse, in which she represented Joan of Arc. In addition, several performers danced to the Can-Can.
Other segments of the opening ceremony included a decapitated Marie Antoinette (thus representing the French Revolution of 1789) and a reenactment of the painting Liberty Leading the People- a reflection of the July Revolution of 1830. Regarding the French Revolution, perhaps a performance of A Tale of Two Cities would have been better.
I’m surprised the opening ceremony didn’t include the following historical figures: Charles Martel, Charlemagne, Louis XIV, the Marquis de Lafayette, Napoleon I, Alfred Dreyfus, Louis Pasteur, and Charles De Gaulle. They could have included the following fictional characters: the Three Musketeers, the Count of Monte Cristo, Inspector Clouseau, and the characters from Beauty and the Beast.
The French national anthem was sung by mezzo-soprano vocalist Axelle Saint-Cirel. She sang it twice, and the second time finished the song in a somewhat awkward manner. Other than that, she did alright.
But the most controversial segments of the opening ceremony involved a fashion show that included drag queens and a drag performance mocking the Last Supper. Those who planned the opening ceremony claimed it was based on the gods of Olympus, as well as promoting tolerance. But many people (including Elon Musk and Harrison Butker) saw it as an attack on Christianity. Meanwhile, Dr. Jill Biden praised the drag performance and said she hoped the 2028 Summer Olympics Los Angeles would top this year’s Olympics.
It should be noted that given the Muslim population within France (10%), there have been security concerns (particularly in regard to the Israeli athletes), as well as the arson attacks on the Paris railway system. In addition, a member of the Palestinian delegation named Waseem Abu Sal wore a t-shirt depicting children being bombed — hence protesting Israel’s war against Hamas.
The Olympics are supposed to be an international competition among the athletes of various nations, not a stage for political protest or violence.
Hopefully, there will be none of these incidents in any way, shape, or form as the games continue.