Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony Goes as Smooth as Seine River; PV Sindhu, Sharath Kamal Lead Indian Contingent

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Paris, July 27: What scenes one saw along the Seine River in Paris. The peace, harmony and tranquillity of the water at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, was a dream come true. On Friday, the big boss of France Emanuel Macron and IOC President Thomas Bach hugged each other, symbolic and emotional.

Then began the flow of boats with athletes and nations seated inside smiling. Led by Greece and followed by the IOC refugee team, 206 nations were on view, in all. It was poignant and emotional as the build-up had been stressful.

Come on, finally, to see a whole city rock to an opening ceremony was historic, not being caged inside a stadium. The water is aqua and this was so soothing, the opening ceremony.

From the Eiffel Tower to the Trocadero, people watched the boats sailing, a different sight from marching past in the stadium. High energy and picturesque, this was a sheer delight to watch. The opening moments of the ceremony were different in every way and whoever conceptualised it must be complimented.

How Paris pulled this off will be talked about for years to come, maybe till LA 2028. This was such a refreshing change in troubled times, terror, hatred and whatnot in parts of the world. The last time Paris hosted an Olympics was in 1924 at the Stade de France. Now, in these many years, changes are indeed huge.

From tonight till August 11, the world will watch Paris for sporting reasons. Despite terror and whatnot, Games have begun. Records will be set, many will cheer, virtually. And with gender equality the theme, these Olympics will be defining for sure.

Security in Paris was tight, almost like a curfew. That was till the Games were to begin at 7:30pm Paris time. Previews snaps of the Indian contingent had been leaked out before. The Indians were to come in the boat and the chosen ones were in it - PV Sindhu and Sharath Kamal as flag bearers. Dressed smartly, they were the cynosure for sports lovers from India and Asia.

Sporting superpowers from USA, China and Britain will fight it out in the next fortnight for medals till August 11. And the high energy is going to rock the world. For Paris and fans from all parts of the world to come to France is a sign, none fears terror and hatred. Despite all attempts, the Games opening has been a huge success.