Paris 2024 Olympics: Decoding the opening ceremony • FRANCE 24 English

As the world set its eyes on Paris for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics, this special edition looks back at some of the highlights of the dazzling ceremony, the first to be held outside a stadium in Olympic history.

[rufusevison]

I was disappointed that this repeated the error about the dionysius scene being "the last supper in drag". And I was embarrassed as always by the Daily Mail.

[vinceleny]

Was adorable to listen to you three gentlemen ! Yet I agree more to most comments below, this was more a las vegas show than a meaningfull ceremony in Paris. It is tasteless.

[AlternativeBrew]

This is like when you end up explaining a joke.

[TheKuyahon]

Thats not a ceremony...its a Sunday Variety Show here in Philippines 🤣🤣🤣

[obelix]

2:55 I liked the opening ceremonies, my only problem was (here in the USA) our commentators TALKING OVER THE EVENTS. By all means, give the viewer a guide for moments that need context, but let that be a separate video (like this one, thank you).

[ParisMexis]

This was the greatest and most political opening ceremony yet. Bravo Paris.

[Pauli-xlnr]

I am an atheist but for me it was also disrespectful. I just felt inside that something was wrong, and that the show had a very bad taste. It is disrespect to whole humanity I can feel this then I saw that.

[TheChilKat]

The origin of the Olympics was a religious festival to honor Zeus. Probably best to not partake at all if you feel God would be offended at a cultural dance, as the entire thing is an homage to the worship of a Greek god.

[richmellow]

People weren't complaining about the rain.

[ssb]

Burlesque! Bombastic! Camp! Very Las Vegas!!! The metaphors were vague and tasteless…very disjointed!

[Lucas-idpm]

I think it's pathetic to see a French player level and a French audience booing. Pathetic French spectators booing the results of the referee's video reading. The French Olympics will not be successful.

[renowden]

As I Brit - my only criticism is that the BBC talked all over it :( Is there anywhere I can watch a recording?

[Michaela]

Some people prefer to be critics. To me it was big, sometimes a bit difficult to take in, talked over too much but it was very French and very modern Olympian - so fabulous. Especially Celine Dione.

[nothingishere]

It's the fact the Olympics games are not supposed to be religious at all a Muslim woman was not allowed to wear the a hijab and a surfer from Brazil was not allowed to use his surfboard with the picture of Christ the redeemer statue on it while they do this junk. I know they claim it was a Greek pagan god scene about daimis but it's obvious the crew and the director knew what they were doing the lady DJ behind the smurf started posting on Instagram that she was "The new Jesus" and "The new gay testament" not to the mention the fact that it was overly sexual in front of the whole world with families and children watching the Olympics should be about sport not that and it disgusts me.

[simonsan]

"Only thing the French can host is an invasion" - Johny English.

[Robisfree]

Does anyone else know that macron also translates to a mark??

[martin-cheers]

I think it was the best and most creative opening ceremony ever made. Visually stunning, amazing light show, art, fashion, dance presented in a modern way while showing Paris.
I really don’t get how people can get offended even by the last supper piece. If it even is the last supper, then at most it can be interpreted as a jab at church censorship given that da Vinci moved to France because the church was censoring him and he was also accused of homosexuality. In what way is it saying anything bad about Christianity or Jesus or God? Please explain how it’s interpreted offensively?

Also the last supper piece doesn’t belong to Christian’s. It’s an art piece which is made by one of the most genius artists the world has known.
France has made satirical religious pieces for the last 300 years at least.

[patricknelson]

horrible ceremony horrible officials it was a complete mess

[patricknelson]

when you lack the fundamental value you try to be different

[petepotr]

12:01 so cool, calling far right to a representative, there were kids watching the trash. Stop your silly mockery.