Paris 2024 Olympic: In a heartfelt and inspiring address at the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, IOC President Thomas Bach welcomed the world to what he described as a historic and transformative event. The ceremony, held on July 26, 2024, marked the commencement of the 33rd Olympiad and set the stage for an unprecedented celebration of global unity, inclusivity, and athletic excellence.
Paris 2024 Olympic
Addressing a captivated audience that included French President Emmanuel Macron, Paris 2024 Organising Committee President Tony Estanguet, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, and various dignitaries, Bach began his speech with a warm greeting to the city and nation. He expressed profound gratitude to the French hosts for their spectacular welcome, highlighting how the Olympic flame would further illuminate Paris and France, symbolizing a beacon of hope and unity.
Bach’s speech underscored the Olympic spirit’s transformative power, praising the extensive efforts made to implement the Olympic Agenda reforms. He acknowledged the contributions of the French public authorities, the Organising Committee under Estanguet’s leadership, and the thousands of volunteers whose dedication and enthusiasm embody the essence of the Games. These reforms have aimed to make the Games more inclusive, urban, youthful, and sustainable, with Paris 2024 marking a historic first for gender parity in Olympic competitions.
The IOC President also paid tribute to the legacy of Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, celebrating Paris as the birthplace of this enduring global tradition. He emphasized the city’s role as the “City of Light” and “City of Love,” and thanked France for hosting the Games in such a magical and meaningful way.
In a poignant segment of his address, Bach spoke directly to the athletes, acknowledging their journey to reach this pinnacle of their Olympic careers. He framed their participation not just as individual achievement but as a part of a larger, unifying event that transcends global divisions. He affirmed the Olympic values of respect, solidarity, and mutual support, emphasizing that these principles are crucial in a world often marked by conflict and division.
Bach highlighted the solidarity that binds the Paris 2024 Olympic community, made possible by the support of Media Rights Holders and TOP Partners. This unity, he noted, allows for the gathering of athletes from all 206 National Olympic Committees and the IOC Refugee Paris 2024 Olympic Team, reinforcing the idea that, in the Olympic realm, there are no barriers—only a shared commitment to excellence and mutual respect.
The IOC President invited the world to join in celebrating the Paris 2024 Olympic spirit, encouraging everyone to embrace the joy and inspiration that sport can provide. He urged people to dream alongside the athletes and to celebrate the shared humanity that unites all.
In closing, Bach extended a heartfelt invitation to President Emmanuel Macron to officially declare the Paris 2024 Games open. His words resonated with a call for faith in the future and a celebration of the best of human potential and unity. With a sense of profound emotion and anticipation, Bach’s speech set a hopeful and inspiring tone for the Games, reflecting the Paris 2024 Olympic ideals of peace, solidarity, and global togetherness.
As the ceremony concluded, the stage was set for the athletes of Paris 2024 to showcase their talents and embody the Olympic spirit in a celebration of global harmony and athletic prowess.
