The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games began on Friday with the presence of local authorities, international leaders, and public figures. For the first time in Olympic history, the ceremony is being held outside a stadium, taking place along the Seine River.
Over 10,000 athletes from 206 nations and the Refugee Olympic Team will compete in 329 events across 32 sports. The Games, running from July 26 to August 11, mark the third time Paris has hosted the Olympics, the previous occasions being in 1900 and 1924.
Security concerns are heightened as French Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete labeled recent arson attacks on the country's railway network a "scandalous criminal act." The attacks disrupted traffic for approximately 800,000 passengers, according to SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou.
