Olympic opening ceremony captivates audiences along Seine in Paris

The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games held yesterday on the Seine River in Paris sparked astonishment, praise, and criticism, leaving no one indifferent. The event required over 15,000 performers, technicians, and fireworks experts, with its content kept secret until the last moment. An estimated 320,000 spectators attended the ceremony, with several hundred million viewers tuning in worldwide.

According to Tapani Parm, who has directed numerous Olympic broadcasts, organizing such a large-scale television production typically requires around 500 personnel and can take years of preparation. “We wanted to offer a completely new type of ceremony, the first in history to take place outside a stadium,” said Tony Estanguet, chair of the Paris 2024 organizing committee, shortly after the event’s conclusion. “It was a ceremony filled with courage, countless messages, and beautiful surprises, whether in music or lighting.”

Despite vague statements regarding the costs, French media reported that the ceremony’s expenses reached approximately €120 million, about four times more than the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics.

The ceremony was a spectacular show, even under rainy conditions. Parm noted that the event was clearly designed with television viewers in mind, as many people along the Seine could only catch glimpses, supplemented by large screens that provided a view similar to that of the international audience.

An impressive 120 cameras recorded the ceremony, including nine Finnish camera operators. In total, around 400-500 people were involved in producing the event. Estanguet acknowledged the complexities of arranging the Olympics, highlighting the challenges faced until the last minute, but praised the team’s ability to adapt and deliver a wonderful performance. The ceremony featured major international artists like Celine Dion and Lady Gaga, who performed in French. This marks the third time the Olympics will be hosted in Paris, with previous games held in 1900 and 1924.