A year ahead of the actual performance, Paris has staged a large-scale rehearsal for its plans to start the 2024 Olympics with a water procession down the Seine rather than an arena ceremony.
With the river shut down to early-morning traffic for several hours, 40 boats representing the hundred and more that will be used moved down the river, accompanied by another 18 carrying organizers, emergency services and broadcasters. Part of the test was to work out angles for the crews that will film the actual event.
Hundreds of thousands are expected to fill free spots along the river on the opening day, along with another 100,000 who will have paid or guest access to prime locations set aside for them.
Organizers have also taken an unusual tack for the arrival of the Olympic torch, traditionally lit on Mount Olympus in Greece and relayed to the host city. Next year’s 80-day route will have a big detour built in: After sailing from Greece to Marseille and carried to Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy and to the Chateau of Versailles, it will be flown to the French Caribbean before returning to Paris for opening day.
