From the arrival of our most Wicked duo adorning contrasting green and pink, the appearance of Marie Antoinettes beheaded head -shocking we know- , Lady Gaga and her cabarets, the Drag-queen studded Fashion vignette, and finally unto the most incredible performance by Celine Dion- her first in a long while- and reminiscent of her time at an event of similar name in 1996, the Paris 2024 opening ceremony was a total shock, good one at that.
Every Olympic year, before the games officially begin at the designated host country, there is a grand line up of events that lead to the final battle of sport champions. The Olympic torch makes its way from Greece after a ceremony that goes back to the time of myths, on a journey of thousand miles to its final destination - Olympic cauldron. However, the lighting up of the cauldron is not such a simple ceremony, events and arts come into a marriage to highlight history, culture and sportsmanship.
This year’s opening ceremony in Paris was the first of its kind and certainly lived up to its hype, but what more could be expected with the budget of $10billion dollars allocated for this year’s games.
For the first time in the history of Olympic Games, the opening ceremony was not done in the stadium,
The French had it that their aim for these celebrations was to highlight the city and its people. The red carpet which had the Eiffel Tower as the backdrop- insane I know!, saw the entrance of the most esteemed guests, including our very own Wicked duo, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Érivo. The show Started off with an iconic reverence to the French Revolution, A heavy metal band -Gojira played as the queen stood, holding her head in her hands- it gets trippier when the camera pans out and we see many other headless Marie Antoinette.
Who would fit more into the role of the opening act for a show of this sort other than the Avant-garde queen her self, Lady Gaga who performed “Mon truc en plumes” with the Cabaret adorned in a black and pink ensemble.
The countries participating In this year’s Olympics began their parade across the seine, as the International Olympic Committee did the commentary which featured a very embarrassing mistake when they called the South Korean team, North Korea- I expect the Apology to roll in this morning.
Aya Nakamura, France’s beloved sweetheart performed her hit song “pookie” with a live band in a metallic dress reminiscent of the gladiators- she had me Gagged!.
Fashion also took a center stage at the Olympics opening ceremony , with a dramatic vignette show featuring drag queens highlighting true Parisian fashion, the home of couture , - and one being compared to the last supper. Last supper or not, it was nothing short of unhinged but amazing!.
As the opening ceremony came to an end, we saw a mysterious torch bearer and an unforgettable performance by the Legend herself Celine Dion, the closing act for the night who performed “l’hymne a l’amour” by Edith Piaf. She had me in joyous tears at how far she has come since her diagnosis with stiff syndrome in 2022. Finally, the moment that all the assembly of event has been leading up to arrived. The Olympic cauldron was lit up with the Olympic flame carried by French Gold Medalists Teddy Riner and Marie-José pèrec before it took off into the sky.
The ceremony would finally come to end, but not the thrill that it left in the heart of all of us who watched it, and the controversy that came after. Although I could definitely see all the relógious symbolism, and I was gagged- rightfully so. My opinion is nothing short of awe and praise for the well coordinated sequence of events, that could only have been organized by the French.
I also anticipate the games and the winners that shall emerge from it, although there are no events I look forward to more than those of World best gymnast, Simone Biles!
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