Chauvinism (or “chauvinism” in modern Greek) is one of the French “inventions” that has followed the French like a stain for centuries, often reminding us of its presence. However, France is also the birthplace of the seventh art, as it was the Lumière brothers who invented cinema and paved the way for spectacular shows. These two elements will characterize tomorrow’s opening ceremony of the 33rd Olympic Games. The organizers are preparing a spectacle of French history that will emerge from the waters of the Seine, accompanied by the melodious songs of Édith Piaf.

Sportsfeed.gr presents all the details of the ceremony.

The opening ceremony will start precisely at 20:24 (if you don’t understand why, stop reading) from the Austerlitz Bridge. There will be 94 boats carrying the 206 delegations with more than 7,000 athletes. The route to Trocadéro at the foot of the Eiffel Tower is six kilometers, and organizers have instructed the boats to move at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour. The fleet will mainly consist of the “bateaux-mouches” boats that usually transport tourists from one end of the Seine to the other. Since these are not enough, the organizers have brought reinforcements from Strasbourg.

The boats will be transformed into theatrical stages, carrying dancers, musicians, and of course, the athletes. In the first boat will be Giannis Antetokounmpo with Antigoni Drisbioti as flag bearers for Greece, the entire National Basketball Team, several representatives from aquatic sports, and other athletes. The flotilla will also include around 20 boats for security purposes.

€2,000,000 Appearance Fee

French media have paraded the names of artists who will appear at the opening ceremony, playing significant roles in the show designed by director Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The most buzz has been around French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura, who was targeted with harsh criticism from Marine Le Pen’s bloc (for obvious reasons). Government reports state that Nakamura secured her presence, despite complaints from Le Pen’s supporters.

In addition, Celine Dion and Lady Gaga have arrived in Paris. The French paparazzi caught Lady Gaga in a late-night rehearsal. The French report that both singers will receive €2,000,000 each, though the organizing committee has neither confirmed nor denied this.

The program will also feature the legendary drummer, composer, and father of (at least French) disco Marc Cerrone, as well as singer Juliette Armanet. These artists have not only significant artistic stature but also stood out in France for their critique of the arch-misogynist Michel Sardou. The French, who have put Marianne’s face, a symbol of the French Republic, on the emblem of the Paris Games, emphasize equality and diversity.

A Different France in Twelve Tableaux

Through the opening ceremony, each host country tries to bring its history to life (the British failed spectacularly in 2012). The French will use the Seine to highlight their history, which they believe is the most significant in the world (refer to the first word of the text). We won’t blame them, as they have had significant moments on the planet, the most notable being the French Revolution.

At the heart of this nearly four-hour live broadcast, we will witness the great adventure of Paris through the centuries. Four writers were enlisted to write the script for this evening: historian Patrick Boucheron (coordinator of the publication “Global History of France”), screenwriter of the successful TV series “Dix pour cent” Fanny Herrero, stage director Damien Chabrillac, and novelist Leïla Slimani. The writers have stated they will narrate the story of a France that goes beyond the “traditional philosophical values that are sometimes presented with excessive confidence.”

Underwater Security and Drone Swarms

The boats carrying the delegations will not be alone. The organizers are trying to keep it a secret, but with journalists from all over the world in the city, including (unfortunately) the British, secrets are hard to keep. The flotilla will be accompanied by members of the elite unit of the French Navy “Commando Hubert,” named after French Navy hero Augustin Hubert. Additionally, hundreds of drones will fly to monitor the entire ceremony and create impressive aerial effects and formations.

Hymn to Love and the Flame

The scenography of the ceremony will feature all French legends, with the immortal Édith Piaf taking center stage. Celine Dion is rumored to sing “Hymn to Love” (Hymne à l’amour), and Lady Gaga will perform “La Vie en Rose” on a piano placed on the Seine.

L’Équipe reports that the American singer will also do a duet with French singer Armanet, covering John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Nakamura will honor the great Charles Aznavour by singing his songs, marking the 100th anniversary of the French singer’s birth.

Additionally, Paris Opera star Guillaume Diop will appear as a soloist on the rooftops of Paris, with dancers performing between Notre Dame Bridge and Pont Neuf. There will also be a segment dedicated to the relationship between cinema and Paris, and another honoring the city’s cabarets, with live broadcasts from Montmartre featuring dancers from the Moulin Rouge.

We’ll also see Charlie Chaplin and characters (Quasimodo, Esmeralda) from Victor Hugo’s novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,” paying tribute to the cathedral still under reconstruction after the April 2019 fire.

Regarding the final torchbearer, three names are in contention: Marie-José Pérec (athletics), Teddy Riner (judo), and Zinedine Zidane (football). The order in which they will appear and who will ultimately light the cauldron at the Eiffel Tower is still unknown. It may be Pérec along with Riner…