The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris are officially open
Image: Keystone
The Eiffel Tower will be emblazoned with the five Olympic rings over the next few days
Image: Keystone
Great Britain's boat on its way to the Eiffel Tower
Image: Keystone
The Swiss Olympians wave from the boat
Image: Keystone
Rain in Paris: only the weather is not playing ball
Image: Keystone
The athletes from the 206 participating nations are led across the Seine on boats
Image: Keystone
Swiss sympathizers are also among the spectators on the balconies
Image: Keystone
French President Emmanuel Macron officially declares the Games open at 10.54 pm
Image: Keystone
Nina Christen and Nino Schurter wave the national flag on the Swiss boat
Image: Keystone
The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris are officially open
Image: Keystone
The Eiffel Tower will be emblazoned with the five Olympic rings over the next few days
Image: Keystone
Great Britain's boat on its way to the Eiffel Tower
Image: Keystone
The Swiss Olympians wave from the boat
Image: Keystone
Rain in Paris: only the weather is not playing ball
Image: Keystone
The athletes from the 206 participating nations are led across the Seine on boats
Image: Keystone
Swiss sympathizers are also among the spectators on the balconies
Image: Keystone
French President Emmanuel Macron officially declares the Games open at 10.54 pm
Image: Keystone
Nina Christen and Nino Schurter wave the national flag on the Swiss boat
Image: Keystone
The special opening ceremony for the 2024 Olympic Games has been underway in Paris since 7.30 p.m. Despite the rain, France is presenting itself with plenty of flair at the boat parade on the Seine.
26.07.2024, 21:01
26.07.2024, 21:04
SDA
Nino Schurter had to let himself be surprised. "I don't know exactly what to expect," said the mountain biker from Graubünden one day before the opening ceremony. He had the honor of carrying the Swiss flag down the Seine together with shooter Nina Christen. However, his words could just as easily apply to the opening ceremony and the entire Olympic Games in Paris.
Uncertainty about the security situation. Uncertainty about the political climate. Uncertainties about the extremely daring, first opening ceremony outside a stadium. The organizers were not lucky with the weather. On Friday evening, rain accompanied the 85 boats carrying the delegations as they sailed down the Seine for around six kilometers from the Austerlitz Bridge to the Eiffel Tower.
And yet the spectacular but risky undertaking was a success. Around 320,000 onlookers - around two thirds of them with free admission - on the banks of the river naturally form the biggest backdrop that an opening ceremony has ever attracted. They had to go through a strict security procedure and needed some patience, but they were rewarded with an atmospheric spectacle with a star-studded line-up.
The French presented themselves in all their cultural diversity. While Schurter, Christen, almost 30 Swiss athletes and 205 other delegations ride past, ballet dancers, pop stars, musical performers and actors show motifs from the history of the Grande Nation on solid ground. Special treats: Opera singer Marina Viotti sings to the brute sounds of heavy metal band Gojira, and Lady Gaga sings a chanson on the steps in front of Notre Dame Cathedral.
Impressive: due to the great secrecy and complexity of the production, it could never be rehearsed beforehand. "Ca ira", a slogan from the French Revolution, is the motto. "It will work." And it does - anything but naturally under difficult circumstances - impressively.
The boats set off alphabetically - according to the French country name - which is why the Germans (Allemagne), for example, set off unusually early. The refugee team, accompanied by much applause, was the second to set off, with European 10,000 m champion Dominic Lobalu, who now competes for Switzerland outside of the Olympics, waving. The boat with the Swiss started at 8.26 pm and is still on its way.
Switzerland will also be present on the red carpet, where deserving Olympians such as Serena Williams and Fabian Cancellara will be honored. French President Emmanuel Macron should then officially open the 30th Summer Games at around 11 pm in the presence of IOC President Thomas Bach.
Then, over the next 16 days, there will be a battle for a total of 329 medal sets. The uncertainty will remain for a while, but at least the "Grande Nation's" first gamble seems to be paying off.
