Marseille, July 26, 2024 – The Olympics officially start today, marking a historic moment for France and the world of sports. For the first time in Olympic history, the Opening Ceremony will be held outside a stadium, and will take place on the iconic Seine River in the heart of Paris.
A Historic Opening Ceremony
The Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony promises to be a spectacular event. Athletes will parade on boats for 6 km from east to west of Paris, ending at the Trocadero where the official Olympic Opening and final shows will take place. It has been 100 years since Paris last hosted the Olympic Games, where the Stade Yves-du-Manoir was the Opening Ceremny venue.
With 206 delegations and a total of 10,500 athletes, the ceremony will feature 12 artistic displays that highlight the rich cultural heritage of France and Paris. Spectators will be able to enjoy the celebrations from 80 giant screens set up along the Seine, with an expected attendance of 326,000 people.
However, most 49er and 49erFX sailors will not be attending the ceremony in Paris as the satellite sailing venue is in Marseille, and it is too close to the start of competition day on the 28th. Notably, in the Nacra 17 class, Sinem Kurtbay will be the flag bearer for Finland and from the 49erFX, Jo Aleh will be the flag bearer for New Zealand and Tamara Echegoyen for Spain.
How to Follow the Sailing:
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For those eager to follow the Olympics sailing races of the 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 classes, there are several ways to stay updated:
- Television: In France, you can watch the ceremony and the races on France Télévisions (France.tv)
- Online Streaming: Visit this link for a full list of broadcasters by country.
- Social Media: Follow @49ersailing and @nacra17sailing on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content.
- Athlete Insights: Get to know the athletes by checking out the team interviews on our event websites: 49er and Nacra 17.
- Paris 2024 App: Download the Paris 2024 app here to follow live results and receive notifications as you set your preferences.
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For the latest updates and more information, make sure to follow us on our social media channels and visit our event websites. Let’s celebrate the spirit of the Olympics together and cheer on our incredible athletes!