The opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics 2024 will be held today (Saturday morning in the Philippines). Rather than the usual march, the 10,500 athletes including the Team Philippines delegates will start the parade through more than 90 boats on the Seine River.
“Paris 2024 is breaking new ground by bringing sports into the city and the same will be true of the Opening Ceremony, set to be held in the heart of the city along its main artery: the Seine. The parade will follow the course of the river, from east to west over 6 kilometers (3.7 miles),” the Paris 2024 statement says.
To lead the opening remarks, the French President Emmanuel Marcon will be present. The competition will start from July 26, 2024 until August 11, 2024 as the athletes compete from their respective sports categories.
In the Philippines, there are 22 strong athletes who participate in different sports such as athletics, boxing, fencing, gymnastics, golf, judo, rowing, swimming, and weightlifting. For this year’s Olympics, the Team Philippines is the biggest the country has sent to the Summer Games since Barcelona 1992. Hidilyn Diaz, on the other hand, bagged the first ever gold for the Philippines in Olympic history.
The flag bearers for the Philippines are the Tokyo Olympics silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam together with the other representatives namely, EJ Obiena, Lauren Hoffman, John Cabang Tolentino, Eumire Marcial, Hergie Bacyadan, Aira Villegas, Carlos Yulo, Emma Malabuyo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar, Bianca Pagdanganan, Dottie Ardina, Samanthan Catantan, Kiyomi Watanabe, Jarod Hatch, Kayla Noelle Sanchez, Joanie Delgaco, Eireen Ando, Vanessa Sarno, and John Ceniza.
Honoring a historic journey of the country for its 100th year in taking part in the quadrennial events and eyeing the goal to surpass the previous achievements from their Tokyo Olympics campaign, President Ferdinand Marcos expressed his support for the Filipino athletes.
”To the 28 of our finest athletes who shall be competing in Paris now for the glory of the Philippines. Let us wish them well and the best good luck,” the President stated.
Marcos also mentioned that the administration will continue to support the health-enhancing sports program that caters to Filipinos of all ages.
”Through these, we will also set forth our youth on the same well-established path that has taken some of our national champions and renowned athletes to sporting greatness,” he added.
Following the send-off ceremony, the President highlighted to the athletes the inspirational role they play for the nation.
The Paris Olympics 2024 can be streamed on Facebook and Youtube accounts of Cignal TV and One Sports, the official broadcasters at 1:30 AM Philippine time.
Photo courtesy: Fat Tire Tours