The president of France says his country is prepared to move the 2024 Olympic opening ceremony from the River Seine to another location should the security situation require it. Emmanuel Macron told France 5 television on Wednesday that a backup plan would come into play if “the level of insecurity requires us to revisit the initial scheme.” He did not elaborate. The Games are scheduled to begin on July 26 in Paris and conclude on August 11. They are expected to be the most significant event ever hosted by France.
The opening ceremony, which is expected to draw about 600,000 people to see 160 boats take off down the river, reworks tradition by placing athletes at the center of the event. It also aligns with Paris 2024’s aim to reinvent the Games model by opening them up to a broader audience.
It will feature performances by some of the world’s most acclaimed artists and entertainers, including singer Celine Dion, French rock band Daft Punk, and actor Vincent Cassel. But the most impressive spectacle will be on the water as athletes go down the 6 km (3.7 miles) course in boats equipped with cameras and sound systems to allow spectators to follow them from near and far.
Spectators can watch from the quays and bridges along the route, which features some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, Pont Alexandre III, Les Invalides, and Trocadero. This is the only time the Games will open to spectators outside the stadiums and venues where competitions will be held.
Athletes will have minimal travel times, with 85 percent of the venues located less than 30 minutes from the Olympic Village. The Paris Games will be the first to use a new system for transporting athletes, designed to reduce carbon emissions and minimize waste from Games-related operations.
On the basketball court, USA’s Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Karl-Anthony Towns remain in good position to earn spots on the national team for next summer’s Olympics. But their quest to be the best in the world may be hampered by the return of injured teammate Katie Lou Samuelson.
