Chat about anything here, including the opening ceremonies!
Alright folks, we’re finally here! The 2024 Olympics opening ceremonies begin today! Some of the sports began as early as this past Wednesday, with men’s soccer and rugby beginning group stage competition. Yesterday, handball began as well.
But anyway, the opening ceremonies start in Paris. So here’s more on that.
Event info
When: Friday, July 26 at 1:30 p.m. ET
TV: NBC will have coverage from 12 p.m. ET
Where: Seine River and the Gardens of the Trocadero in Paris, France. We’ll discuss more about this in a second.
Why is the Opening Ceremony not in a stadium?
France, the host country wanted to try something different. Instead of each country’s delegation walking on a track, they will be on a boat in the Seine River as they head from the Austerlitz Bridge toward the Trocadero, a plaza near the Eiffel Tower. Flagbearers will still be prominent, but it will be a different look.
Who will be the prominent speakers and performers?
We can expect the following to speak though nothing is guaranteed:
- Thomas Bach, IOC President is almost definitely speaking
- Emmanuel Macron, President of France is the head of state. He would be a good bet.
- Ana Maria “Anne” Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris. She would also be a good bet.
There are no confirmed performers, but there are rumors that Lady Gaga and Celine Dion will perform. Maybe together?
The 2024 Olympic theme song: Hello World
I find this interesting considering that neither Gwen Stefani or Anderson .Paak are French.
Who are the players representing the Washington Wizards and Mystics?
- Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly for France where he is on the 5×5 men’s basketball team (Les Bleus)
- Mystics guard Julie Vanloo for Belgium where she is on the 5×5 women’s basketball team (The Cats)
- Mystics guard Jade Melbourne for Australia where she is on the 5×5 women’s basketball team (The Opals)
- Mystics forward Aaliyah Edwards for Canada where she is on the 5×5 women’s basketball team (Team Canada)
Who are the flagbearers for the Wizards’ and Mystics’ players’ countries?
Every country will have a male and female flagbearer where possible during the Parade of Nations.
Here are the flagbearers for the four countries with Wizards and Mystics players.
- France: Florent Mnanudou (men’s swimming) and Melina Robert-Michon (women’s athletics)
- Belgium: Emma Meesseman (women’s basketball) and Jerome Guery (men’s equestrian)
- Australia: Eddie Ockenden (men’s field hockey) and Jess Fox (women’s canoeing)
- Canada: Andre De Grasse (men’s athletics) and Maude Charon (women’s weightlifting)
Ummm… what about Team USA’s flagbearers?
They are LeBron James (men’s basketball) and Coco Gauff (women’s tennis).
What order do countries ride their boats in the Parade of Nations?
Countries’ delegations generally come out in alphabetical order in the host’s native language. And certain countries’ English names can begin in different letters in French so you know.
You would expect Korea (meaning the Republic of Korea/South Korea) to come out with the letter K’s because you are used to that in English. In French, Korea is Corée so the Koreans will come out with the C’s in their red, white and blue outfits.
Another country that will come out in a different letter is the Netherlands. In English, they come out with other countries with the letter N. But in French, the Netherlands is Les Pays-Bas, so the Dutch team will wear their orange with countries beginning with the letter P in the French language.
And the same goes for Germany. In French, it is Allemagne, so the Germans will walk out with the letter A.
The last two teams entering are the team that is hosting the next Olympics (the United States, or Les États-Unis d’Amerique in 2028), followed by the host country (France). If the USA wasn’t hosting in 2028, they would go out with the letter E!
Enjoy the opening ceremonies, whether you are in the City of Lights (or Love) or watching on TV!