Did Paris’ Olympics opening ceremony BEAT London’s 2012 extravaganza? Rain mac-wearing spectators reveal what they REALLY thought of the four-hour parade
The opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics has been controversial, with some calling it the ‘worst ever’. But what did fans really think?
Some 6,800 athletes, dressed in plastic ponchos, tried to keep the spirits up as they sailed down the Seine in a huge fleet of 85 boats.
But when people went to the opening ceremony, they were furious. They found that the audio was bad because of the torrential rain.
There was also a singing of a beheaded Marie Antoinette and a parody of the Last Supper, which was considered blasphemous by Christians.
The New York Times scathingly called it a “bloated, made-for-TV spectacle,” while the New York Post called it “dull, ill-conceived and choppy.”
A social media user said: ‘France going well, but still nowhere near the 2012 level London Opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
MailOnline travelled to the French capital to find out what people really thought of the controversial ceremony.
A group of British boys, wearing berets, said the opening ceremony in London 2012 was much better than the one in Paris
An American couple thought the ceremony was one of the best they had ‘ever seen’. Although the wife thought parts of it took too long
While some seemed unimpressed, others claimed it was “spectacular” and even the best opening ceremony they had ever seen.
A group of British boys, wearing French berets, were asked what they thought of the ceremony.
One man said it was ‘disappointing’ and that he ‘rates the London opening so highly’ that ‘nothing will ever top it’.
He added: ‘It’s ambitious to try something different, but from what I’ve heard it’s been difficult for spectators to get the full picture of it.’
Meanwhile, an American couple, dressed in waterproof ponchos, said they had attended opening ceremonies before, for example in Rio, and were impressed by the French efforts.
The man said, “One of the best opening ceremonies I’ve ever seen.
An American woman said the opening ceremony was ‘absolutely worth it’ even though her clothes were completely soaked
The man in the blue tracksuit is from Congo, but lives in Paris. He said: ‘the boats were good’
“It wasn’t in an arena, it just showed Paris. I mean, Paris did a great job.
‘The performance was amazing. I mean, especially the breakdancing of the paraplegic.
“It was just touching.”
But his partner added: ‘I think the metal horse thing went on too long.
‘The passing of the torches also took far too long.’
An American woman, wearing an American flag top and holding an American flag umbrella, said: ‘It was totally worth it. I mean, we were soaked. I don’t think our clothes will be dry before we leave.
“But nobody left the opening ceremony. It was worth it. It was spectacular.”
Meanwhile, a man in a blue tracksuit, from Paris, said: ‘The boats were good. I see my original team – I’m from Congo.
‘I like the lights in the sky of the show. It was very beautiful
The catwalk-turned-stage element of the opening ceremony was criticized by some Christians for resembling a parody of the Last Supper
A performer, painted blue and covered with flowers and fruit, representing the Greek god Dionysus, sang in French
It appears that the official video of the Paris 2024 opening ceremony has been removed from the Olympic account following negative reactions.
Social media users shared a screenshot of the organization’s footage, which showed a blank screen with the caption “this video is not available.”
The show is also apparently not available on their YouTube channel, despite the fact that there are reports of the games both before and after the ceremony.
Full versions of the London 2012, Rio 2016, Beijing 2022 and even Nagano 1998 ceremonies are also available.
Neither the Olympics nor the Paris Games have given a reason for this apparent omission. Both have been contacted for comment.
Friday night was saved by the return to the stage of Celine Dion, who performed under the Eiffel Tower and the Olympic rings
The 2024 opening ceremony was heavily criticized, with viewers saying the audio was poor due to near-torrential rain.
Performances by Lady Gaga and about 3,000 dancers, acrobats and actors were barely audible over the sound of the rain.
Friday night’s salvation came with the return of Celine Dion to the stage, performing beneath the Eiffel Tower and the Olympic rings.
Fans were not impressed with the unique approach to the opening ceremony, with one writing online: ‘I’m sorry, but this is the worst Olympic opening ceremony I can remember.
“It’s an interesting idea to have the athletes come on boats, but it looks messy and lacks the roar of the crowd. Sorry, but not for me.”
Even in France, the reception was mixed, with Le Figaro saying the show was “great, but some parts were just too much.”