Paris, July 27, 2024 – The grand opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics experienced an unexpected hiccup when the Olympic flag was raised upside down. This error marred an otherwise spectacular and historic event, showcasing one of the world’s most iconic symbols in an incorrect position.
During the ceremony, held along the River Seine, the Olympic flag was hoisted incorrectly, with the five-colored rings displayed in the wrong order. Despite this blunder, the event continued with grandeur and enthusiasm. The rain, which poured heavily throughout the day, tried to dampen the spirits of the attendees but failed to diminish the excitement of the nearly 30,000 spectators who gathered along the riverbanks.
The big spectacle was washed out by the weather, the display was cringe & to top it all off the Olympic flag was hoisted upside down at the zenith of it all
This event is like a microcosm of modern France, an utter shamblespic.twitter.com/eZeyCrIXRQ
— Aaron Rankin (@Aaron_R_Rankin) July 26, 2024
The opening ceremony featured a dazzling three-and-a-half-hour boat parade, showcasing 85 boats carrying almost 7,000 athletes from 205 countries. The historic parade passed by Paris’s iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame Cathedral. A masked man, riding a real horse, delivered the flag to French officials amidst the torrential downpour.
Following the boat parade, Celine Dion’s sparkling performance brought a radiant end to the rain-drenched event. French Olympic legends Marie-Jose Perec and Teddy Riner lit the Paris 2024 Olympic cauldron, marking the official start of the Games.
Despite the rainy weather and the flag mishap, the Paris 2024 opening ceremony was a memorable display of French flair and Olympic spirit.
