The Olympic Games Opening Ceremony – A Morning to Remember

Wow, what a morning! If you missed the Olympic Games opening ceremony early this morning, let me just say – you missed a serious treat. It was like a visual explosion of culture, creativity, and, of course, Olympic magic.

From the moment the ceremony kicked off, it was clear that this year’s event was going to be something special.

The opening performances. Talk about a showstopper! The creative team really outdid themselves this time. With a mix of stunning visuals, breathtaking choreography, and a soundtrack that had us all tapping our feet, it was a reminder of just how talented and innovative the host country is. I loved how they managed to weave in elements of tradition and modernity, making sure that everyone felt included. 

The parade of nations was a highlight, as always. It’s such a powerful sight seeing athletes from all over the world marching in, representing their countries with such pride and excitement, as they cruised down the Seine. The Kiwis shared the boat with four other teams — Oman, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Pakistan. I don’t know about you, but the moment when the athletes from the smallest nations were cheered just as loudly as those from the biggest was truly heartwarming. "New Zealand has 195 athletes in the Olympics this year, across 23 sports, with 98 men and 97 women. Our youngest athlete is footballer Milly Clegg, 18, and our oldest is 45-year-old equestrian Tim Price" were selescted as the flag bearers. "At NZ House in Paris, New Zealanders watched the opening ceremony with celebratory tipples of Champagne and cheers. Those gathered in the courtyard were under brollies as the Parisian rain poured down but failed to dampen spirits.At NZ House in Paris, New Zealanders watched the opening ceremony with celebratory tipples of Champagne and cheers. Those gathered in the courtyard were under brollies as the Parisian rain poured down but failed to dampen spirits."

Of course, no Olympic opening ceremony would be complete without the lighting of the cauldron. That moment always gives me chills. Seeing the torch make its journey and then ignite the cauldron is such a powerful symbol of the unity and spirit of the Games. It’s a reminder of the incredible journey each athlete has taken to get here and the shared dreams of so many people. This year the Olympic torch relay "paid tribute to the memory of the people and places throughout French history. The flame travelled to the Lascaux caves, the Alésia archaeological site, the medieval city of Carcassonne, the Palace of Versailles, and many other sites", including the D-day landing beaches. The speeches were also pretty moving. The messages about peace, perseverance, and the power of sport to bring us together felt particularly poignant. It’s a great way to set the tone for the days ahead and remind us of what the Olympics are all about.

As we gear up for the competitions, let’s remember the excitement and inspiration we felt today. Whether you're a sports fanatic or just someone who enjoys the spectacle, there’s something truly special about the Olympics. Here’s to a fantastic Games ahead, full of incredible performances, new records, and, hopefully, some unforgettable moments.

Cheers to the start of an epic Olympic journey!

-https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/olympic-torch-relay/route

-https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/07/27/dapper-new-zealand-arrives-at-olympics-opening-ceremony/

-https://www.facebook.com/olympics & https://www.facebook.com/TheNZTeam