It's undoubtedly one of the most eagerly awaited events in the capital this year. This Friday, July 26, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will officially kick off with an unprecedented opening ceremony, organized for the first time outside a stadium. The ceremony will take place on the banks of the River Seine, and will amaze spectators and television viewers around the world.
While there are still many mysteries surrounding the ceremony, we do know the order in which the sports delegations will appear.
And we'll have to be patient before discovering the French delegation. After all, France won't be the first to parade down the Seine this Friday. Quite the contrary, in fact. The French delegation will be bringing up the rear at this ceremony. So why the latter position, despite its role as host country?
To explain this, we need to refer to the traditions of the modern Olympic Games. According to custom, the host country is the last to pass during the parade of delegations. The French delegation for these Paris 2024 Olympics, led by flag bearers Mélina Robert-Michon and Florent Manaudou, will therefore be the last to parade down the Seine this Friday.
This rule has not always been respected. For example, at the 1924 Paris Games, the 44 delegations represented appeared in the stadium in alphabetical order. South Africa was the first nation on parade, while Yugoslavia was the last. 100 years later, the Paris Olympic Games decided to follow tradition this time, with the French delegation marching last. It will be preceded by the United States, the host country in 2028. Just before them will be Australia, host of the Summer Games in 2032.
Numerous athletes and 205 delegations will parade down the Seine on Friday evening, in a river show expected to last over 3h30.
Opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics: the order of sports delegations
More than 200 sporting delegations are expected on the Seine this Friday, July 26, 2024, for the launch of the Paris Olympic Games. Here's the order in which the athletes will parade during this opening ceremony. [Read more]
Opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics: the order of sports delegations
