It is a must at every opening ceremony: the national anthem and the raising of the flag of the host country. But like this unprecedented ceremony on the Seine, the teams of Thomas Jolly – the director of this historic spectacle – have once again innovated by offering a Marseillaise on the roof of the Grand Palais.
The national anthem was performed by the mezzo-soprano from Guadeloupe Axelle Saint-Cirel, draped in a dress in the colours of the French flag, on the roof of the Grand Palais. This venue will host the taekwondo and fencing events during the Olympic competition. Thirty-four women from the choir of the Maîtrise de Radio France concluded this Marseillaise from the Pont Alexandre-III, before giving way to a completely different scene, that of “Sportsmanship”.
The ceremony began at 7:30 p.m. and is expected to end around 11 p.m. with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron in the Tuileries Gardens by the last torchbearer, whose name is still being kept secret. Along the Seine, many international stars including Aya Nakamura and Lady Gaga have already performed during the opening ceremony.