Paris Olympics 2024 will officially kick off with the opening ceremony on Friday (July 26) night in the French capital city as more than 300,000 spectators are expected to witness the extravaganza.
The Paris 2024 Olympics is set to make history with its groundbreaking opening ceremony, marking several significant milestones and setting new records. Here are the key moments and figures that highlight this extraordinary event:

1 - Historic Venue Change: For the first time in Olympic history, the opening ceremony will take place outside of a traditional stadium. This bold move marks a new era for the Games, embracing the iconic landscape of Paris and bringing the ceremony closer to the public.
4 - Hours of Spectacle: Directed by Thomas Jolly, the opening ceremony will span four hours. This extensive duration promises a captivating show filled with artistic displays, parades, and celebrations.
5 - Historic Flag Bearer: Melina Robert-Michon will be the fifth Frenchwoman to carry the French flag, joining the ranks of Christine Caron (1968), Marie-José Perec (1996), Laura Flessel (2012), and Clarisse Agbegnenou (2021). She will share this honor with Florent Manaudou.
5 - Single-Representative Delegations: Five delegations will be represented by a single athlete: Belize, Liechtenstein, Nauru, Somalia, and Tuvalu. This highlights the diverse and inclusive nature of the Olympics.
6 - Kilometres of Parade: The parade, along with the live show, will cover a six-kilometre stretch along the Seine. Thomas Jolly and his team have orchestrated this unprecedented challenge, showcasing the grandeur of Paris 2024.
12 - Artistic Displays: The ceremony will feature twelve artistic displays that highlight the rich French and Parisian heritage. These performances will add a unique cultural flavor to the event.
54.1 - Olympic Charter Amendment: The IOC amended Article 54.1 of the Olympic Charter to accommodate the new venue for the opening ceremony. The reference to the "Olympic stadium" has been replaced with the more flexible "site of the opening ceremony," paving the way for future innovation.
80 - Giant Screens: Eighty giant screens will be installed along the Seine, ensuring that spectators can enjoy the ceremony from various vantage points.
85 - Boats in Parade: Eighty-five boats will transport the delegations along the Seine, making for a spectacular nautical parade.
100 - Years Since Last Paris Games: A century has passed since the last Olympic Games were held in Paris. The 1924 Games featured an opening ceremony at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir.
110 - Heads of State: Paris will host 110 Heads of State for the occasion, underlining the global significance of the event.
120 - Cameras: Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) will deploy 120 cameras to capture the ceremony, tripling the number used in Tokyo 2021. This extensive coverage will provide viewers with an unparalleled experience.
140 - 2024 Clubs: Across France, 140 "2024 Clubs" will broadcast the opening ceremony, bringing the event to communities nationwide.
206 - Delegations: A total of 206 delegations, comprising 10,500 athletes (including 571 from France), will participate in the opening ceremony, marking the start of the 33rd Olympiad of the modern era.
400 - OBS Staff: OBS will mobilize 400 staff members to deliver an extraordinary broadcast. They will use 200 smartphones, eight drones, three helicopters, and four stabilized boats to provide diverse perspectives of the ceremony.
1,500 - French Athlete Suits: Berluti, a brand from the LVMH group, has designed 1,500 suits for the French athletes. The midnight blue smoking suits will be worn by the athletes as they make their entrance.
3,000 - Artists: Under the direction of Maud Le Pladec, 3,000 artists, including 400 dancers, will perform in the opening ceremony. They will be supported by 200 dressers and nearly 300 hairdressers and make-up artists along the Seine.
326,000 - Spectators: An unprecedented 326,000 spectators will line the banks of the Seine on July 26. This includes 222,000 free ticket holders on the raised quays and 104,000 paying ticket holders on the lower quays. This massive attendance underscores Paris 2024's commitment to making the Games accessible to the public.
The Paris 2024 opening ceremony promises to be a landmark event, blending tradition with innovation and setting the stage for an unforgettable Olympic Games.