Summary
The Paris 2024 Olympics are drawing to a lavish close, not with silence but with a jubilant parade that promises to lift spirits and ignite memories of a spectacular summer. On Saturday, September 14, the iconic Champs-Elysées and the majestic Place de l’Étoile will transform into a vibrant stage for the celebration of champions. Athletes, volunteers, organizers, and law enforcement who made this monumental event possible will weave through the streets, basking in the applause of thousands gathered to honor them. Thierry Reboul, Paris 2024’s ceremony director, envisions this stunning parade as a fifth ceremonial event—an encore, showcasing the essence and zeal of the past four ceremonies that have mesmerized audiences worldwide. “We’ll sprinkle the same magic into this day as the previous four ceremonies,” Reboul promises, hinting at a revival of cherished moments. This parade is not just a procession; it’s a reawakening of shared experiences, inviting spectators to relive the euphoria together in a fresh yet familiar format. As the clock strikes 2 PM, the atmosphere will pulse with excitement. Crowds will begin to gather along the Champs-Elysées for the grand spectacle. The parade will initiate here, where athletes and organizing teams will step onto a specially crafted catwalk stretching nearly 300 meters, commencing at Avenue Georges V. Anticipation swirls around the embrace of 8,000 to 10,000 participants, including around 200 Olympic and 150 Paralympic athletes from France, marching down this historic avenue. Eager fans, numbering up to 30,000, will witness the exhilarating parade for free, though obtaining a QR code through the designated website is crucial to secure a spot amidst the jubilation. The procession will lead to a magnificent, 360-degree stage enveloping the Arc de Triomphe—designed as the heart of this celebration. Reboul aims for the Place de l’Étoile to emerge as the epicenter of the festivities, with a 400-meter perimeter allowing every spectator an unobstructed view of the artistry unfolding before them. Another 40,000 individuals are expected to fill the remains of this vibrant “Etoile Zone,” once again requiring prior QR code access. The celebratory parade will cascade joyfully from 4 PM to 6 PM. As the sun begins its descent, the occasion will take a more formal turn around 6:30 PM, when medals will be awarded to France’s Olympic and Paralympic heroes in an outdoor ceremony that breaks tradition. Typically confined within the walls of the Élysée, this year’s honors will sparkle under the open sky, a grand gesture to forge a connection between past and present athletes, with sporting legends gracing the stage to unveil the medals, symbolizing a continuum of French sporting spirit. When night falls, at 9 PM, the atmosphere will shift yet again with a live concert, co-produced by France Télévisions, ready to ignite the night. While artist details remain a tantalizing secret, whispers suggest former participants from prior ceremonies might return to dazzle the audience once more. Following the concert, the Arc de Triomphe will become a pulsating hub for DJ sets, promising a night of euphoric music until midnight, a fitting crescendo to a magnificent closing. For those wishing to witness the whole spectacle from their homes, France 2 will broadcast the entire parade and concert live, with various news channels perhaps joining the festivities and allowing audiences to partake in this historic celebration from afar. To be part of this unforgettable day, a free ticketing system launched on September 11 opens doors to 70,000 eager participants. Each person can secure up to five tickets, as long as they register on the dedicated website, parade.paris2024.org, ensuring their presence in this delightful festival of sports and camaraderie. Illustrating their passion for the event, attendees must register their details, select their preferred zone along the Champs-Elysées or Arc de Triomphe, and wait for their confirmation email, which will contain their e-ticket, promising entry to witness the magic unfold on September 14.
Original Source: www.touteleurope.eu
