Zareena recounts her unique journey at the Paris Olympic opening ceremony, sharing her theories and finding unexpected joys along the way.
Paris, France (27 July 2024) – I witnessed live one opening ceremony that was most spectacular on TV. The idea was bold, and the moments notable, but the course was long, and, well, it rained. With my seat allocation, I was right there, right where the athletes gathered at the end. Even getting a ticket wasn’t a given. You had to apply, and only a certain number of tickets were allocated for the National Organising Committees, in our case SASCOC, to distribute during the high-density events, which include ceremonies and, for now, swimming finals. Somehow, I got one. And I was there, until I wasn’t.
Coping with the Rain
It had been raining on and off all day, and despite having multiple jackets, it was both cold and wet. I moved into the Venue Media Centre; each venue has one with similar facilities to the Main Press Centre, which is the place the media use as a base. Then, with a few others, I decided to leave and watch the rest from home. Looking at the rain falling, I didn’t know if it was JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) or FOMO. But the Olympics are running until the 11th of August, and I couldn’t risk the rest of it for this one moment.
Fortunately, with the parade of nations going according to the French Language or “protocol order” we were fourth up after the original Olympics host, Greece, the Refugee team and then Afghanistan. Getting to see Team SA with Gymnast Caitlin Rooskrantz and Sprinter Akani Simbine hold the flag as the team (reduced though it may have been, the athletes aren’t yet in Paris but at the training camp in Montpellier and most of those competing in the next couple of days were also not in attendance), kitted in their local Mr Price kit sail past the cameras while the crowd clapped politely was cool. They were through early enough that you could see them without having to squint through the rain live or through a camera lens.
Viewing Party Delight
On the way home, I stopped for dinner and found a viewing party. The locals were loving it. It was a joy and a delight to be amongst them. Don’t get me wrong; it was great to be there at the ceremony, but if the aim was to give the people of France a show, I think they succeeded. There were over 300,000 people expected for the ceremony, but more than that, the fans gathered together in their little pockets seemed to get their taste of it too. Granted, I was there just as the French delegation sailed through to the close of the procession.
Reflections on the Ambitious Event
It was ambitious and maybe a little nuts, but all in all, who else could even attempt this? That is not a rhetorical question, and I have a theory. None of this would be possible without the Tour de France. It has been said that this ceremony was the biggest broadcast production ever. You can’t do that if you haven’t had trial runs. And every year, they close off chunks of the country and eventually a rather famous section of Paris for the final stage of the Tour. Yes, it’s a different production company and team, but the base of what the country knows is possible just happens to be different.
They are used to closing down areas, and although people may not have liked the inconvenience of all of the security, and boy was there a lot, they are not unaccustomed to it. Yes, there are other grand cycling tours in the Giro and La Vuelta, but the Tour is still seen as the crowning jewel. Many people have asked along the way what happens if it rains, and the answer has always been: what happens if the ceremony is in a stadium? Nothing; the show goes on. They made a decision; I made mine. Maybe it was crazy to leave the biggest event I have ever been allowed into, but doing crazy things may just be the French way.
Looking Ahead
I will keep trying to do as much as I can when I can and will try again for the closing ceremony. Today, Team SA are competing in a number of events including:
- Badminton
- Equestrian
- Judo
- Rowing
- Swimming
- Skateboarding
- Hockey
- Rugby 7s
- Surfing
Let the games begin in earnest!
Zareena Gaibee will be on the ground in Paris for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics events, sharing her take on the prestigious sporting event, giving exclusive insights into life at the games, and hopefully meeting many of the South Africans in Paris who are competing and supporting. She will be reporting her findings for Good Things Guy, giving readers a glimpse of what flying the flag in Paris is all about.
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Sources: Zareena Gaibee
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