Paris, France, July 26, 2024: IOC President Thomas Bach said the opening ceremony of Paris 2024 on Friday evening was a “magical” welcome to the 33rd Olympic Games of the modern era.
At a rain-lashed Trocadero, in the shadow of the magnificent Eiffel Tower, the IOC President paid tribute to the “gracious” French hosts.
“Thank you for welcoming us in such a spectacular way. The Olympic flame will make Paris and all of France shine even brighter,” he said, following a parade of 85 boats carrying 6,800 athletes along the Seine for 6km.
“We are deeply grateful to all our French friends. First and foremost, to the President of the French Republic,” he added, referring to Emmanuel Macron sitting alongside him.
“All our gratitude also goes to the public authorities at all levels as well as the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, under the excellent leadership of my fellow Olympian, Tony Estanguet.
“You are bringing our Olympic Agenda reforms to life by making these Games wide open. All of us will experience Olympic Games that are more inclusive, more urban, younger and more sustainable – the first Olympic Games with full gender parity on the field of play.”
President Bach said Paris was the perfect stage for the Olympic Games.
“What better place than Paris to share this magic of the Olympic Games with the whole world,” he added.
“Paris, the birthplace of our founder, Pierre de Coubertin, to whom we owe everything. Paris, City of Light, where he created the modern Olympic Games. Paris, City of Love. Thank you, France, for this magical welcome.”
President Bach paid tribute to the Refugee Olympic Team, whose boat followed traditional parade leaders Greece and drew loud cheers from the crowd in the Trocadero.
“In a world torn apart by wars and conflicts, it is thanks to this solidarity that we can all come together tonight, uniting the athletes from the territories of all 206 National Olympic Committees and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team.”
President Bach then invited President Macron to open the Olympic Games, which will run until August 11.
French football hero Zinedine Zidane took part in the final torch relay and lighting of the Olympic cauldron and was joined by a host of international sports stars including Michael Phelps, Serena Williams, Carl Lewis and Rafael Nadal.
The introduction of the delegations was interspersed with dances, songs and other cultural performances which included Lady Gaga performing French cabaret and a powerful performance from Celine Dion, who sang on a stage under the Eiffel Tower.