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The Paris 2024 Olympic Games have officially begun, kicking off with what many are calling the most unique and bizarre opening ceremony yet.
On Friday, July 26, the thousands of Olympic athletes competing in the games headed to the heart of Paris, where they sailed down the River Seine in boats manned by their respective countries.
But the boat procession wasn't the only unique moment of this year's opening ceremony, as the celebration was filled with surprising moments, from headless Marie Antoinette figures to faceless torchbearers.
The rainy weather, which prompted many athletes and attendees to wear plastic rain ponchos, only added to the overall mood of the ceremony, prompting many viewers watching at home to comment on the unconventional festivities.
“This is the most WTF opening ceremony I have ever seen,” one viewer wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Another said: “Watching the first Olympic Opening Ceremony held on a river, one begins to understand why an Olympic Opening Ceremony has never been held on a river before…”
At one point, a mechanical horse galloped across the River Seine, while another highlight revolved around a performance of “Imagine” aboard a floating raft, which also included a flaming piano.
Fake bellhops with their arms raised pushed trolleys of suitcases along the bridge, prompting critics to mock the outlandish move. “I was trying to fold a fitted sheet,” one X user joked alongside a clip of the dance on the bridge.
Not everyone was critical of the opening ceremony, however, with some applauding the French capital's dedication to putting on a show.
“This #Opening ceremony “It’s got everything. Boats. Parkour. Accordions. A woman dressed as a croissant. More boats. Lady Gaga,” one tweeted in support. Another X user praised the show for incorporating cultural details.
One viewer commented: “Between all this and the rain, it is the saddest opening ceremony ever. Perfectly French.”
“I think the whole show has been amazing, humbling and overwhelming. It’s such an honor to celebrate something good and beautiful,” wrote a fourth participant.
Before the grand graduation ceremony, artistic director Thomas Jolly spoke to Fashion about his intentions behind this year's opening ceremony. Wanting to move away from the traditions of years past, Jolly decided to hold the celebration outdoors rather than in a stadium.
The artistic director also admitted that the ensemble would not practice their performance before the final.
“Despite all the preparations, we must remember that, in order to maintain confidentiality, this ceremony will never be fully rehearsed,” he told the outlet. “The goal is for everyone to discover the show at the same time.”
