Official viewership statistics released by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or major broadcasting networks

Paris 2024 Olympics Begin with Historic Opening Ceremony on River Seine Featuring 7,000 Athletes

Jul 26, 2024, 05:36 PM

The 2024 Paris Olympics officially began with a groundbreaking opening ceremony on July 26. For the first time in history, the ceremony was held outside a traditional stadium, transforming a 3.7-mile stretch of the River Seine into an open-air stage. The event featured a parade of 7,000 athletes from over 200 countries, who sailed down the river on more than 90 boats, passing iconic landmarks and performing in front of an estimated 320,000 spectators. The ambitious ceremony, described as the most elaborate ever, included performances on bridges, banks, and rooftops, and was accompanied by tight security measures involving 45,000 police, 10,000 soldiers, and 2,000 private security staff. Despite the rainy weather, the ceremony dazzled with its unique celebration of French culture, fashion, and history, marking the third time Paris has hosted the Summer Games.