Paris Gears Up for Unprecedented Olympic Ceremony
This evening at 7:30 PM French time and 8:30 PM Moldovan time, the much-anticipated global show will commence. By this time, everything should be fully prepared.
Tourists and spectators are already in the vicinity with their passes ready, as the area is under strict security. No vehicle or pedestrian can enter the grey and red zones without obtaining permission from the official French website.
After several years of intense preparation, today marks the long-awaited day when we will witness the opening ceremony of this grand global event. Major French radio and television stations will begin their coverage at 6:30 AM from the filming locations at Trocadéro, near the Eiffel Tower.
The opening ceremony will feature something unprecedented: for the first time in Olympic history, the ceremony will take place outside a stadium. Between 6,000 and 7,000 of the 10,500 athletes will parade aboard 85 ships.
The event will start at the Osterlitz Bridge and will conclude at Trocadéro. BFM TV is broadcasting an appeal from the Paris Police Prefect urging residents to stay home by 3:00 PM to avoid the crowds. According to the same source, over 320,000 people are expected along the banks of the Seine.
President Emmanuel Macron met with the most prominent figures at the Louvre before welcoming the 110 heads of state who arrived at the Élysée.
Corina Călugăru, the Ambassador of Moldova to Paris, acknowledged the strong emotions surrounding this historic event. "There is a unique atmosphere in Paris, reflected in numerous restrictions. At the Republic of Moldova Embassy in France, preparations are underway for participation in the ceremony. About 100 heads of state will attend, and the event is expected to draw around one million tourists, along with athletes from all participating countries," said Corina Călugăru.
Moldova will be represented by 26 athletes who hold 9 world champion titles and 11 European champion titles. They will compete in 10 sports events included in the Olympic Games program.
For the first time, the Olympic national team comprises 26 athletes well-prepared for 10 events: archery, athletics, canoeing, judo, swimming, wrestling, shooting, weightlifting, table tennis, and dressage. They are arriving in Paris in stages according to their competition schedules. Many have already arrived and are staying in the Olympic village, while others have begun their final preparations and training. We wish them the best of luck and are confident they will achieve great success. Our thoughts, along with those of our citizens at home and in the diaspora, are with them, and we hope they record outstanding results," the ambassador added.
Another concern is the weather. Weather apps predicted a 40% chance of rain in the morning, but everyone hopes the event will be free of precipitation. The artistic lineup was revealed late by the organisers. Rumours had suggested that the renowned Céline Dion would perform at the ceremony. Last night, the press confirmed that she will pay tribute to the French singer Edith Piaf. Additionally, Aya Nakamura, a popular French singer known worldwide, will perform her songs with accompaniment from the Republican Guard musicians and French Army choir members. She will conclude with two songs from Charles Aznavour’s repertoire.
We also note that Maia Sandu, President of Moldova, will attend the opening of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, alongside over 100 world leaders.
Reporting from Paris for Radio Moldova, Corina Cojocaru.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
