Paris: The Paris Games are set to unveil their spectacular opening ceremony, which will turn the Seine River into a vibrant display of color and light on Friday.
Athletes and artists will come together to celebrate the world’s largest sporting event.
The ceremony will feature a 6-kilometer parade on the river, with athletes viewing the Olympic venues from special boats.
Details of the event and the names of major performers are kept confidential, but the Greek delegation will be the first to march, and Pakistan will be 140th.
Arshad Nadeem, the gold medal hopeful, will carry the green and white flag.
Tight security measures are in place, and 30,000 spectators will watch the colorful event.
The opening ceremony of the Paris Games is set to create history as it will be held outdoors on the river rather than in a stadium, utilizing numerous boats.
Over 10,000 athletes, dozens of global political figures, and hundreds of artists will participate.
Special floats have been prepared for the 6-kilometer river parade, and there may be several surprises.
While major artists’ names have not been disclosed, some superstars like R&B singer Aiya Nakamura, confirmed by the French President, are rumored to be part of the event.
Lady Gaga arrived in Paris recently, but her performance has not been confirmed.
Organizers have stated that artists and athletes will celebrate the games together.
There are also rumors of Celine Dion performing live for the first time in four years.
Hundreds of dancers have been hired for the event, and special floats will pass in front of the Eiffel Tower. Each of the 91 national delegations will have their own float.
The Greek delegation will lead the parade, reflecting the origins of the Olympic Games centuries ago.
Following them will be teams according to the host country’s official language, with the Refugee Olympic Team second, followed by Afghanistan and then South Africa.
The Pakistani delegation will be 140th, with javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, the country’s sole gold medal hope, holding the national flag.
The Indian delegation will be 84th, while the host country, France, will be last, with the U.S., the next Olympic host, second to last, and Australia, the 2032 host, preceding them.
Guests will include the U.S. First Lady and other high officials from various countries.
Only 30,000 spectators are allowed to attend, and stringent security measures are in place, including continuous aerial surveillance and sharpshooters stationed along the parade route.
After the opening ceremony, the competitions will officially begin, with the first medal of the Paris Games to be awarded on Saturday in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team Shooting event.