Addis Ababa, July 26, 2024 (Addis Walta) Paris Olympics 2024 is officially launched today at the French capital with a spectacular ceremony.
For the first time in the Olympics’ history, the opening ceremony will take place outside of a stadium. The glamorous opening event will be staged on the Seine River.
The ceremony will be attended by over 300, 000 spectators who are expected to line up on the banks of the river.
Dozens of boats carrying athletes and performers are expected to parade 6km of the river through the heart of Paris.
The extravaganza will depart from the Austerlitz Bridge, sail by Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, and arrive near the Eiffel Tower.
Famous artists such as Lady Gaga and Celine Dion are expected to perform in the grand opening event.
Security is at the heart of the entire Olympic Games. Although the French government is already at a high level of security alert with the war in Gaza and Ukraine-Russia, it deployed over 45, 000 police and other security departments for the summer Olympic games.
At the 33rd edition of the Olympics, about 10, 500 athletes from 206 nations will compete in 32 types of sport.
In its 15th Olympic participation, Ethiopia represented by 39 athletes, competes in athletics, swimming and boxing.
The competition lasts for 17 days and will be concluded on August 11, 2024.
Tewodros Sahile