Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics 2024 in a century with a rain-soaked, rule-bending opening ceremony along the Seine River, blending stars and fantasy in a unique spectacle.
The Olympic cauldron was lit in a dramatic fashion by Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner, atop a 7-meter-wide (about 23 feet) ring of fire suspended from a hot-air balloon. The balloon itself stood 30 meters tall (about 100 feet) and 22 meters wide (about 72 feet).
This year’s cauldron, designed by French creator Mathieu Lehanneur, pays homage to the first hydrogen-filled gas balloon flight of 1783, which took off from the Tuileries Garden near the Louvre Museum. The floating cauldron symbolises liberty, aligning with France’s national motto, “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.”
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Celine Dion delivered a mesmerising performance before the cauldron’s lighting, marking her return to the stage after being diagnosed with stiff person syndrome in late 2022. The rare neurological disorder had impacted her ability to walk and sing, leading to the postponement of her tour. Dion, who recently discussed her recovery in the documentary “I Am: Celine Dion,” had been undergoing extensive therapy to get back to performing. Her Olympics 2024 appearance was seen as a triumphant return, receiving a standing ovation.
