The 2024 Olympic Games will be kicking off at the end of the month and while we can't wait to cheer on athletes like Tom Daley, Dina Asher-Smith and Jake Jarman as they chase sporting glory, we're also looking forward to the opening ceremony.
Opening ceremonies are always full of visual delights, who can forget the iconic 2012 Games which charted the history of our country and featured hilarious cameos from the likes of Rowan Atkinson, Daniel Craig and even the late Queen, who 'parachuted in' alongside the then James Bond star.
Japan used its Olympic opening ceremony to show how the world would be moving on past the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic while also containing plenty of references to its cultural history from its rich history of video games and traditional summertime festivals.
So, what will Paris do for its extravaganza of sporting excellence? Here's all we know about the opening ceremony…
When is the Opening Ceremony?
© Marc PiaseckiThe opening ceremony will kick off 2024's Olympic Games and the big day will be Friday 26 July. The ceremony is scheduled to start at 19:30 CEST, which means it'll be at 18:30 for our screens.
There will have been a little bit of sport ahead of the ceremony, with the football, rugby, handball and archery tournaments all beginning.
How to watch
© Catherine SteenkesteWhile some lucky people will no doubt have secured tickets to see their favourite athletes compete, many of us will be watching from our living rooms.
The BBC will be providing full coverage of the Olympics, and they have confirmed that viewers will be able to watch all events either on the TV or on the BBC Sports website and app. BBC Radio 5 Live will be handling coverage for radio stations.
Watching in the United States
© Joe ScarniciIf you're watching in the United States, you can tune into Olympic coverage on NBC Olympics. Sister channels E!, CNBC and USA Network will also be broadcasting the action. Streamers can also get in on the action, as the Olympics will be able to watch on Peacock.
Mike Tirico, Kelly Clarkson and Peyton Manning will host NBC's broadcast of the Opening Ceremony, on Friday, July 26, at 10:30am PT/ 1:30pm ET. NBC will also air a preview show that starts at 9am PT/ 12pm ET. An encore show will also air on Friday evening at 7.30/6.30c on NBC.
Performances
While many Olympic opening ceremonies have taken place inside grand stadiums, Paris is going for an entirely different route this year, with its ceremony due to take place alongside the banks of the River Seine.
The athletes' procession will take place on boats, with each individual delegation having their own vessel and onboard cameras will allow audiences to get up close and personal. With the route following the Seine, fans can also expect to see some of the country's iconic landmarks such as Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower.
© ChesnotAs for the performances, show organisers are keeping these closely under wraps, but it has been confirmed that up to 3,000 artists and 400 dancers are scheduled to be taking part. French-speaking artist Celine Dion is heavily rumoured to be performing at the Opening Ceremony and has even been spotted in Paris ahead of the event. Speaking to the Today Show, the star revealed her hopes to return to the stage, saying: "My voice will be heard for the first time, not just because I have to, or because I need to. It's because I want to. And I miss it."
© GettyAlso rumoured to be performing at the opening ceremony is Lady Gaga, who has also been spotted in the French capital, while a promotional video is thought to contain the singer. It's thought part of the ceremony will reference iconic French singer Édith Piaf, and Gaga performed one of her songs while in A Star is Born. French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura has also been highlighted as a possible headliner, but despite her commercial success as an artist, her possible involvement has been met with a racist backlash.
© Andrew Toth"There won't be a single bridge in Paris without some dancers on it," quipped choreographer Maud Le Pladec quipped to reporters last month.
Daphné Bürki, the stylist and costume director for the games shared of her vision: "Each silhouette tells a story. We wanted a circular ceremony, with a mix of newly created pieces, vintage, upcycled pieces. The key word is 'mix': of generations between the designers, of style with inclusivity, and of sourcing with a lot of upcycling."
