PARIS, July 27 – Olympians, Assemble!
France put on a spectacular and unique Olympics opening ceremony that began with a floating parade along the River Seine and ended at the iconic Eiffel Tower, with the cauldron – a flaming hot air balloon – being lit in the Gardens of the Tuileries and rising majestically into the air.
For the first time in the history of the Games, the opening ceremony was held outside the confines of a stadium, in the heart of Paris, watched by some 300,000 people from the stands, bridges, riverbanks and their homes as the 205 nations took part in the athletes parade via 85 boats of various sizes along the six-kilometre stretch of the Seine.
American star Lady Gaga, French-Malian singer-songwriter Aya Nakamura and superstar Celine Dion were among the renowned artistes to perform from different scenic locations in the four-hour long ceremony.
This is the first time Celine Dion has performed live since she was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome in 2022. It is a rare and complex neurological disorder that causes progressive stiffness and painful spasms.
Other big names who featured in the opening ceremony included French football legend Zinadine Zidane; Spanish tennis ace Rafael Nadal; American tennis legend Serena Williams; former American sprinter Carl Lewis, winner of nine Olympic gold medals, and former gymnast Nadia Comaneci, a five-time Olympic gold medallist.
Despite the rain, the event began with aplomb when Zidane received the Games torch from French-Moroccan actor-comedian Jamel Debbouze at the Stade de France and dashed out to the banks of the Seine.
The Parade of Nations began with Greece, home of the ancient Olympic Games, leading the contingents out on boats in alphabetical order, while the hosts France concluded the floating parade for the grand finale at the Trocadero.
The Malaysian contingent of six athletes and four officials – all smartly and resplendently clad in olive green with golden motifs coloured Baju Melayu Teluk Belanga paired with songkok and sampin (men), and Baju Kurung (women) named ‘The Malaya’ – was 112th in the order, and cruised in boat number 45 together with Malawi and Maldives.
Flagbearers Bertrand Rhodict Lises (diving) and Nur Shazrin Mohamad Latif (sailing) led compatriots Nur Dhabitah Sabri (diving), Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy (sailing), Ashley Lau (golf) and Tan Rouxin (swimming) on the barge, with chef de mission Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, his deputy Datuk Nicol David, chief medical officer Dr Jasmiza Khuzairi Jasme and safeguarding officer Ang Li Peng also on board.
