PARIS — Paris will kick off its Olympic festivities with a groundbreaking opening ceremony along the Seine River on July 26th.

The Paris 2024 opening ceremony will break tradition by not being held in a stadium. Instead, a flotilla of boats will transport thousands of athletes and performers on a 6km stretch of the Seine. The parade will start at the Austerlitz bridge, travel past iconic landmarks like Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower, and weave through various historic bridges and riverbanks.The ceremony promises a unique spectacle, incorporating music, dance, and performances along the entire route. It will be divided into twelve segments, with some showcasing classic French themes. The parade will integrate athletes and artists, blending traditional ceremonial elements such as speeches and anthems.

Scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm (1730 GMT) and last around four hours, the event will peak at approximately 9:35 pm with sunset. The event will see more than 100 heads of state and government officials in attendance, with around 300,000 spectators expected to line the riverbanks. Approximately 80 giant screens will be set up along the route. About 10,500 athletes will participate, with 222,000 people receiving free invitations and 104,000 purchasing tickets. Boats carrying athletes will feature cameras to provide close-up views for television and mobile viewers.

Hosting the ceremony in Paris presents significant security challenges. Approximately 45,000 police officers, including special intervention forces and snipers on rooftops, will ensure safety. An anti-drone system will also be deployed. From July 18, spectators and locals will need QR code permits to access the riverbanks, with restricted car access and closed metro stations and bridges. Air traffic over Paris will be limited, with exceptions for ceremony-related flights.

Despite the high security alert level due to global and domestic concerns, officials have stated there are no specific threats to the ceremony. However, contingency plans are in place, including relocating the event to Trocadero square or the Stade de France if necessary. Concerns include potential lone attackers, petty crime, and protests from various groups, including environmental activists and political movements. Earlier this year, there were arrests related to suspected attack plans for the Olympics, including individuals with alleged extremist and far-right affiliations.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.