Review: Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony

The Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony aimed to dazzle with the City of Light's timeless charm and creativity. While there were moments of brilliance, the execution sometimes faltered, creating a spectacle that, though visually striking, occasionally lacked coherence and depth. Comparing it to Tokyo’s immaculate and high-tech opening ceremony, Paris made a deliberate choice to forgo the stadium’s spectacle and drone displays, opting instead for a unique citywide presentation.

The ceremony’s visual splendour was undeniably impressive. Creative director Thomas Jolly’s decision to utilize Paris as the stage itself was inspired, blending the city’s romance with the grandeur of the event. The catwalk along the Seine River was an innovative touch, merging fashion and sport in a distinctly Parisian fashion, while the illuminated Eiffel Tower added a majestic backdrop to the proceedings.

One particularly moving aspect of the ceremony was the appearance of the Palestinian athletes, who were able to ride the boat under their flag rather than as part of the Refugee Olympic Team. This significant moment highlighted their identity and pride amidst the grandeur of the event. Their participation was a powerful symbol of hope and resilience, resonating deeply with the audience. As they sailed down the Seine, their presence added an emotional and impactful layer to the evening’s celebrations, underscoring the Olympic spirit of inclusion and unity.

Despite the persistent rain, the sight of athletes making their way down the Seine on boats was nothing short of captivating. The procession, which floated gracefully beneath Paris’s iconic landmarks, provided a visually stunning and symbolic journey. The contrast of the rain-soaked night with the illuminated boats and their vibrant displays created a mesmerizing and unforgettable moment, showcasing the resilience and spirit of the Olympic athletes amid the weather’s challenges.

The celebration of French culture was beautifully realized. The choreography depicting the reconstruction of Notre Dame was a standout moment, and Aya Nakamura's performance on a gold carpet at Pont des Arts was a triumph of cultural inclusivity, especially significant given the controversy surrounding her participation. French-Algerian footballing legend Zinedine Zidane’s torch-passing to a group of children provided a heartwarming and symbolic start to the event.

Despite these highlights, the ceremony's pacing and thematic coherence were problematic. The catwalk segment, though initially captivating, began to drag, and the segment with a horse moving down the river felt artistically ambitious but overly prolonged. Lady Gaga’s opening performance, adorned with pink ostrich feathers, and performing "Mon truc en plumes," felt out of place, lacking the polish expected for such a grand occasion.

In an interview with British Vogue leading up to the ceremony, artistic director Thomas Jolly described the Olympic ceremonies as a "celebration of being alive." While he indeed embraced this spirit with a delightfully morbid and avant-garde approach, the portrayal of French history felt lacking. Jolly’s presentation included a strikingly unconventional tribute featuring headless figures of Marie Antoinette performing along the Seine. This "metal-opera" tribute, complete with decapitated faces and heavy-metal band Gojira playing "Ça ira," was both shocking and memorable. However, it also highlighted a missed opportunity to engage more deeply with French history.

While the guillotine-themed spectacle was a bold interpretation, the ceremony’s treatment of historical elements while innovative, often felt fragmented and lacked deeper resonance.

The ceremony concluded on a high note, as Celine Dion’s performance provided a touch of elegance and grandeur. The lighting of the Olympic cauldron inside a hot air balloon, soaring into the night sky, was a stunning visual, enhanced by Dion’s evocative rendition of Edith Piaf’s "L’Hymne à l’amour." This finale displayed the class and refinement that much of the ceremony aspired to but struggled to achieve throughout.

In summary, while the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony featured impressive visuals and memorable moments, its pacing issues and fragmented treatment of French history—particularly the haunting legacy of Bastille Day—left room for improvement. Future ceremonies could benefit from a more unified approach and a deeper historical context to create a more engaging and memorable experience.