Rain-soaked Seine spectacle marks Paris Olympics opening; Singapore led by flagbearers Shanti Pereira, Ryan Lo
A light show is projected from the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Jul 26, 2024. (Photo: AP/David J Phillip)
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PARIS: Down the River Seine, against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower and in the pouring rain, Paris welcomed the Olympic Games with a historic opening ceremony on Friday (Jul 26).
One hundred years after it last held the Games, France's capital city welcomed the multi-sport event for the third time.
But in a gutsy move, organisers eschewed the main athletics stadium for an 85-boat parade down a 6km stretch of water - an Olympics first.
In front of a crowd of more than 300,000, there was no shortage of star power during the four-hour-long celebration, including Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and United States flag-bearer Lebron James.
Team Singapore's contingent of 29 athletes and officials was led by sprint queen Shanti Pereira and sailor Ryan Lo, both of whom carried the country's flag.
GOING GAGA IN PARIS
With rain forecast for the evening, there were fears that the weather could derail proceedings.
To further complicate matters, France's high-speed rail network was hit by arson attacks that disrupted travel for hundreds of thousands of passengers on Friday, just hours before the opening ceremony.
But the moody skies and damp seats would not dampen the mood as smoke in the French tricolour billowed over the Pont d'Austerlitz to get things started.
As is tradition, the first nation out on the parade of nations was Greece, with towering NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo gripping the flag.
Early in the procession, Lady Gaga emerged through a plume of pink feathers on the banks of the Seine to loud cheers. The pop star had been rumoured to be performing, and she sang Zizi Jeanmaire's "Mon truc en plumes".
With raindrops beginning to pelt down, ponchos were hastily put on. Spectators were treated to a variety of performances ranging from a Gojira rendition of a Les Miserables tune to a number from French singer Aya Nakamura.
Throughout the various acts, there were also nods to various French landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral as well as tributes to women in French history and the country's penchant for high fashion.
"AN AMAZING MOMENT"
The last time Singapore took home an Olympics medal was eight years ago when swimmer Joseph Schooling stunned the world to win gold in the 100m butterfly.
At these Games, 23 athletes will fly the flag for the nation. Apart from Pereira and Lo, other athletes on the boat included swimmer Letitia Sim, kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder and table tennis player Izaac Quek.Â
In their trademark red blazers and beige slacks, the contingent brushed off the raindrops to wave miniature Singapore flags with wide smiles and loud cheers.
"(It) feels like a dream! A huge honour being able to do this with Ryan - what a great way to commence mine and Team Singapore’s Olympic campaign," said sprint queen Pereira, who will be competing in the 100m and 200m events.
"An amazing moment I will definitely remember for a lifetime!"
Also making a second Olympics appearance is sailor Lo, who clinched gold at the Asian Games last year.
"I feel very privileged and proud to be waving the Singapore flag alongside Shanti," he said.
"It is a tremendous honour to be given this opportunity at such a prestigious event, and I am looking forward with excitement to be competing at my second Olympic Games."
Ending the parade of nations on a high note were Australia, the host country of the 2032 Games, and the United States, which will host the next Games in Los Angeles.
As always, the biggest roar of the evening was reserved for host nation France, with swimmer Florent Manaudou and discus thrower Melina Robert-Michon holding the flag aloft.
A SPECTACULAR ENDING
As the clock ticked past 10pm and darkness descended, attention shifted to the Trocadero plaza under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.
A masked rider on a glittering metal horse surged down the Seine as a montage of the historic sporting moments of the Games played. Volunteers lined the platform after marching in with the various flags.
Then it was the time for the Olympic flag to be raised as the anthem was belted out by a choir.
 "I know what it means, I know what it took, I know the paths you have followed to be here," said Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet, who was a three-time Olympics gold medallist.
"Paris will give back to you. It is the city of love and for the next 16 days, it is your city."
"Some may say that we are dreamers, but we are not the only ones. Our dream is coming true tonight, a reality for everyone to see" added International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
"Olympians from all around the globe showing us what greatness we humans are capable of. So I invite everybody, dream with us."
After French president Emmanuel Macron declared the Games open, the Olympic flame was handed to footballing legend Zinedine Zidane, who marched down the stage and the torch was handed over to tennis great Rafael Nadal.
Nadal has reigned on the clay courts at Roland Garros for decades.
As a scintillating light show beamed from the Eiffel Tower, the torch was accompanied by a boat of Olympic legends including Nadal, Serena Williams, Nadia Comaneci and Carl Lewis.
A bevvy of French sporting stars accompanied the flame on its final lap in front of the iconic Louvre. Then it was the turn of judoka Teddy Riner and three-time Olympic gold medallist Marie-Jose Perec to light up the cauldron.
With flame engulfing the cauldron, it lifted off attached under a hot air balloon. And as it levitated in the Paris night sky, the cameras panned to singer Celine Dion, on a platform of the Eiffel Tower.
Framed by the Olympic rings, the global icon serenaded the crowd with her first public performance since being diagnosed with a neurological condition two years ago.
On that magical note, the ceremony came to a close. And so did the rain.
