The 2024 Summer Olympics are set to kick off in Paris with a spectacular Opening Ceremony unlike any other. For the first time in history, thousands of athletes will float down the Seine River in a dazzling parade of nations.
A Grand Spectacle on the Seine
The Opening Ceremony, scheduled for Friday, July 26, will see 205 delegations embark on a unique journey along the Seine. Custom-made floats will carry athletes from all corners of the globe, creating a vibrant tapestry of cultures and athletic achievements. The procession will conclude in front of the iconic Trocadéro, where a grand spectacle awaits with thousands of performers and the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic torch.
Leading the American Delegation
First Lady Jill Biden will be leading the American delegation, joined by dignitaries including U.S. Ambassador to France Denise Campbell Bauer, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and three-time Olympic medalists Dawn Staley and Brian Biotano.
Flag Bearers and Musical Stars
NBA star and three-time Olympian LeBron James and U.S. Open tennis champion Coco Gauff will have the honor of carrying the American flag, making Gauff the youngest athlete ever to do so at an Olympic Opening Ceremony.
The event will also feature a musical performance for the ages. French media has reported that iconic singers Céline Dion and Lady Gaga will take to the stage for a duet of the classic French song "La Vie en Rose," originally sung by the legendary Ãdith Piaf. This performance marks Dion's first public appearance since her diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome in December 2022.
Watch the Ceremony on NBC and Peacock
The 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony will be broadcasted live on NBC and Peacock at 1:30 p.m. ET on Friday, July 26. NBC will also re-air the ceremony at 7:30 p.m. ET for primetime viewers.
Live coverage will begin at 12 p.m. ET, ensuring that viewers don't miss a single moment of this momentous event.
A Four-Hour Celebration
The Opening Ceremony is expected to last around four hours, offering a comprehensive celebration of the Olympic spirit. In addition to the Parade of Nations, the event will feature the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, a speech by French President Emmanuel Macron, and a multitude of other performances.
Where to Watch
For viewers without cable, live TV streaming services such as DirecTV, YouTube TV, and Hulu+ TV offer access to NBC. All three platforms currently provide free trials, allowing viewers to watch the ceremony without cost.
Those who prefer streaming can sign up for a Peacock Premium subscription for $7.99 per month or $79.99 for a year, which grants access to NBC's full coverage of the Paris Olympics, including the opening and closing ceremonies and live streaming of all sports, competitions, and medal ceremonies.
The full schedule of events for the 2024 Olympics is available on the NBC Olympic website. Don't miss this historic event as Paris takes center stage for the world's greatest sporting spectacle!