Paris 2024 conducts opening ceremony rehearsal on River Seine
Baku, July 18, AZERTAC
Paris 2024 organisers did a test run of the Olympic Opening Ceremony along River Seine today, according to insidethegames.biz.
A fleet of 39 boats sailed the six-kilometre route from Austerlitz Bridge to the foot of the Eiffel Tower, with all circulation on Seine stopped through the centre of the City of Light.
The Olympics in the French capital will be the first time an Opening Ceremony will be held outside a stadium.
"We learnt today that it’s technically feasible," Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet was quoted as saying by Reuters.
According to the three-time Olympic champion, the time required between each boat and potential solutions for engine problems were tested.
"We just tried to do something different," events and ceremonies director Thierry Reboul told Reuters.
"If you want people to remember the Games, you need to offer them something they have never seen before."
Tickets for the Opening Ceremony, scheduled to be held on July 26 next year, starts from €90 (£77.37/$101.16) and goes up to €2,700 (£2,321 /$3,034).
The test delegation boats were accompanied by 18 vessels from emergency services, organisers, and host broadcaster.
With thousands of spectators and officials flocking to the banks of Seine, security will be a concern for organisers.
Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the French Sports Minster, said recently that around 400,000 spectators are expected.
Between 140 and 170 boats are set to be used to transport around 10,000 athletes during the Opening Ceremony.
It will be the first time in Olympics history that the opening ceremony takes place outside a stadium. The Paris organisers say it is part of their mission to bring sport into the heart of the city.
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