After attack on railway tracks, the Olympic opening ceremony begins in Paris

PARIS – Just hours after the “malicious” attacks on key French railway lines, the Olympic Games in Paris have officially begun.

The attacks, which included arson, disrupted rail services across the country on Friday and cast a shadow over a much-anticipated ceremony centered on the River Seine.

The athletes are expected to travel down the river on barges, marking the first time in modern Olympic history that the Parade of Nations will take place outside a stadium. The ceremony’s unconventional format has made it a popular talking point among athletes in recent days, with everyone from Olympic rookie to multiple medalists talking about it.

“I don’t know what to expect, but I can’t wait,” said American Greco-Roman wrestler Kamal Bey, who grew up in the suburb of Bellwood and is competing in his first Olympics. “I have my uniform and I’m excited. I hope they give me a life jacket to put over my blazer because I can’t swim.”

Around 350 US athletes are expected to attend the opening ceremony, making up around 60 percent of the American delegation. Tennis star Coco Gauff and NBA legend LeBron James have been chosen as flag bearers.

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“The opening ceremony is a very special event,” said US basketball star Kevin Durant. “You see all the great athletes representing their country and the pride you feel for your country reaches a whole new level. I’m excited. We’ve never been on a boat on the river before. We usually walk around a stadium, so this will be a new experience for me. I’m looking forward to it.”

The rest of the ceremony has traditionally been kept top secret, but according to rehearsals along the Seine this week, spectators can expect to see skateboarders and BMX freestylers performing tricks on piers in the middle of the river. Pop stars Celine Dion and Lady Gaga are also rumored to perform.

While the sporting competitions officially begin, many questions about the Summer Olympics remain unanswered. The biggest concern is security. The attacks on the railways have shown how difficult it is to protect athletes, spectators and the vulnerable infrastructure.

After a bomb attack on a concert hall in Moscow killed 144 people earlier this year, French authorities raised the country’s national security alert to the highest level. While a possible terrorist attack remains the biggest security threat, organizers are also monitoring possible disruptions from a confluence of protests over labor issues, the pro-Palestinian movement and anti-Olympic sentiment in an already politically divided country.

The IOC did not respond to requests for comment on the train attacks. The Paris 2024 Olympic Committee canceled its press conference scheduled for Friday morning ahead of the opening ceremony and did not respond to requests for comment.

Outgoing French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal called the attacks an “act of sabotage” and said they were “planned and coordinated.”

“Our intelligence and law enforcement agencies are being mobilized to find and punish the perpetrators of these criminal acts,” he said in a post on X.

In addition to safety concerns, questions remain as to whether the Seine is clean enough to attract triathletes and marathon swimmers, as the water’s E. coli levels often exceed safety standards in Europe and the United States. Rain is forecast for the coming days, often making the river unusable for swimming.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo swam in the water earlier this month to boost confidence in its cleanliness. President Emmanuel Macron has reneged on his promise to swim with her.

And Etienne Thobois, CEO of Paris 2024, predicted the river would be the Games’ most lasting legacy.

“I’m pretty sure the link to the 2024 Paris Games will last for a long time when we have 25 areas where people can swim after the Games,” Thobois said earlier this week. “It will be a symbol.”

Originally published: July 26, 2024 at 12:30 p.m.