Jamaican Delegation Celebrates Olympic Opening in ParisJamaican Delegation Celebrates Olympic Opening in Paris Along the banks of the Seine River, the Jamaican delegation joined protestors in a spirited parade, marking the official commencement of the Olympic Games in Paris. The grandeur of the opening ceremony captivated the audience, despite the rainfall, as the city’s iconic landmarks became a stage for breathtaking performances. French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the Games, while athletes were met with roaring cheers from spectators lining the riverbanks. Lady Gaga graced the stage with a captivating rendition of a French cabaret classic. The highlight of the evening came when Olympic legends Marie-Jose Perec and Teddy Riner ignited the iconic cauldron suspended from a majestic hot air balloon. A flotilla of barges transported the athletes along the six-kilometer stretch of the river, showcasing performances that hinted at the thrill and excitement to come during the Games. This unique opening ceremony, held outside a stadium for the first time, required meticulous security arrangements, particularly in light of a recent sabotage incident on the TGV high-speed train network. Over 10,500 athletes from around the world have gathered in Paris, 100 years after the city last hosted the Games. The first gold medals will be awarded on Saturday, marking the official start of the competition.
Jamaica’s delegation was among those taking part in a parade along the 6km stretch of the Sen River as French President Emmanuel Macron declared the Olympic Games open today after a rain-soaked ceremony that saw athletes cheered by crowds along the Seine, dancers take to the rooftops of Paris and Lady Gaga perform a French cabaret song.
Three-time Olympic gold medalists Marie-Jose Perec and Teddy Riner then lit the Olympic Cauldron, which hung from a hot air balloon, before Canada’s Celine Dion sang Edith Piaf’s “Hymn to Love” in her first public performance in years, to huge cheers from the crowd.
A fleet of barges took the competitors along a 6km stretch of river past some of the French capital’s most famous landmarks. On floating platforms, the performers performed some of the sports that would be featured during the games.
It was the first time an opening ceremony had been held outside a stadium, further complicating the massive security operation. It came just hours after a sabotage attack on the TGV high-speed train network had caused traffic chaos across France.
More than 10,500 athletes are competing in the Olympic Games, 100 years after Paris last hosted the Games.
The competition started on Wednesday and the first of the 329 gold medals will be awarded on Saturday.
