Paris [France], July 27 (ANI): French singer-songwriter Juliette Armanet performed ‘Imagine’ by English rock musician John Lennon at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024.
The song has been part of the Olympic tradition.
Lennon’s song imagines a world without global conflict, in line with the unifying values of the Olympics. This year the song was sung by Armanet, accompanied by a solo piano, which was lit on fire during the performance.
French mezzo-soprano opera singer Axelle Saint-Cirel stunned everyone with her performance of the French national anthem, La Marseillaise’ during the parade of the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.
Saint-Cirel wore a white dress and held a large French flag. The Grand Palais is a historic site located near Paris’ Champs-Elysees that underwent significant restorative work specifically to host this year’s Olympic Games.
French rapper Abdelkrim Brahmi, known professionally as Rim’K, stunned the audience with his performance. He paid homage to Snoop Dogg while rapping during the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024 started with the stunning performance of Lady Gaga. French-Malian singer-songwriter Aya Nakamura, who is the most listened-to French-speaking musician worldwide, performed at the grand ceremony.
The pop star and the orchestra of the Republican Guard performed on the Pont des Arts.
She was awarded a Victoires de la Musique award for her 2020 album, Aya, which was certified double platinum in 2023. She also won an NRJ Music Award and received multiple nominations for the MTV Europe Music Award for Best French Act.
Marina Viotti, a classical opera vocalist, and the heavy metal band Gojira performed ‘Ah, ca ira’, a famous song of the French Revolution
For the first time in the history of the Summer Games, the opening ceremony of the Olympics was held outside the stadium.
The iconic French midfielder Zinedine Zidane made an appearance in a pre-recorded video carrying the Olympic flame to kickstart the opening ceremony. From Stade de France, he sprinted and carried the flame.
However, he got stuck in the metro and delivered it to children. The children passed through catacombs and arrived on the River Seine and after that, the broadcast switched to the real time view of the Seine.
Before the Parade of Nations, the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, were introduced at the Trocadero.
The National Olympic Committees paraded in French alphabetical order, with a couple of exceptions. Australia and the United States came at the end, right before hosts France.
The first 18 delegations were introduced to the Parade of Nations from the Pont d’Austerlitz. The parade was led by the founding nation of the modern Olympic Games, Greece, in their country themed attire.
Greece selected NBA star Giannis Antetekounmpo as their male flagbearer, alongside Antigoni Ntrismpioti, a race walker.
While sailing through the River Seine, Greece was followed by the Refugee Olympic Team, which features 37 individuals. This marks their third appearance at an Olympic Games since being formed for Rio 2016.
Afghanistan arrived on the third, sailing through the picture-esque River Seine, followed by South Africa, Albania, and Germany. Thomas Bach, who was in attendance, stood up to cheer for his home nation, Germany.
During the Parade of Nations, the mysterious man was seen carrying the Olympic flame. Olympic torch across the famous monuments in Paris. He sprinted across the city and arrived at the famous Louvre Museum, where famous art pieces like the Mona Lisa are kept.
The parade resumed after Lady Gaga’s enchanting performance, and one of the most successful nations in the history of the Olympic Games, China, arrived. China’s table tennis great Ma Long and synchronised swimmer Feng Yu were chosen as the flagbearers.
After an enthralling performance by French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura with musicians from the French Army, the parade resumed.
An aeroplane blew smoke from its tails and formed a pink heart over Paris, which is often regarded as the city of love.
Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Coko Islands arrived on their respective boats on the Seine.
As rain started to pelt down in Paris, Egypt arrived at the opening ceremony. The anticipation of Indian fans finally ended when flagbearers Sharath Kamal and PV Sindhu, donning specially designed traditional attire, were spotted at Seine leading along with the group of 78 athletes and officials.
As the Indian boat passed, ‘ITALIA’ chants started to echo around the River Seine, announcing the arrival of Italy in the Parade of Nations.
The opening ceremony was taken over by Minions, who featured in the event in a special video.
The various contingents continued to pass through the River Seine. An eye-catching cycling stunt was performed, which enthralled the entire audience.
Artists continued to perform and momentarily halted the Parade of Nations. After the resumption, Myanmar, Namibia arrived on their special boats, and Nicaragua followed on behind.
Pakistan’s arrived at the Parade of Nations, led by their javelin ace thrower Arshad Nadeem as the country’s flag-bearer. The Pakistan boat carried a total of seven athletes, including three women and four men.
After witnessing the presence of one of the top javelin throwers, Serbia’s boat at the Seine without the presence of the record 24 Grand Slam champion, Novak Djokovic.
The USA’s flagbearers, tennis sensation Coco Gauff and basketball icon LeBron James, arrived at the Parade of Nations.
The hosts, France, with a contingent of 573 members, arrived at the Seine in the biggest boat.
Team Palestine was also present in the Parade of Nations with the strong message, “Out of the ashes, we always rise.”
French singer Juliette Armanet dazzled the crowd with her soulful rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine. (ANI)
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