2024-07-27 14:47:19
PARIS. A France that is a bit Mona Lisa and a bit Lady Gaga, that lives history and goes through life. Or rather flows through it, on the water of the Seine that as promised took the stage of a start of the Olympic Games never seen before. The first open-air ceremony in the history of the five rings opens Paris 2024 with a very long show that lives off the alternation between the show and the unprecedented parade on 85 boats from 203 countries.
Italy parades on hull 32, with Israel: the tricolour waved by Gianmarco Tamberi and Arianna Errigo. With the rain trying to ruin the party, the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella who greeted the Azzurri as they passed, but was forced to protect himself from the water with a stadium poncho, he, at 83 years old, in the uncovered stands at the Trocadero together with the other over 100 heads of state who left early for this reason. Only Emmanuel Macron with his wife Brigitte indoors, and the president of the IOC Thomas Bach, did not get wet.
The water didn’t spare the show. But it didn’t ruin it.. While the Marseillaise resounds, in the very feminine homage of the long show, the Azzurri gather in cohort to exalt the Italian team in a ceremony that celebrated history, women, love without borders, Olympism, inclusion but has somewhat watered down the role of the flag bearers. But it is a tandem of happiness that Azzurri: “It was wonderful to share it with everyone. Despite the rain. Despite the make-up and hair, but that’s how it went. It was unique. As unique as this team is” exults mother Errigo. “It was so cool and then the finale was beautiful with the Eiffel Tower, the five rings. What a team, there is a unique enthusiasm, envied by all the other boats” the words of Gimbo, who had recounted the day step by step on social media, but must have waved the flag too energetically because he lost his wedding ring in the Seine. “When you lose a gold, you find another”, the men’s water polo players tried to reassure him, adding that if necessary they will testify with their wives. The ceremony is a rupture, between brotherhood, equality, freedom and a lot of sisterhood: with the inclusive kiss between two men, and the beauties of the Ville Lumiere from sunset to night. The illuminated rings of the Eiffel Tower, the suspense of the torchbearer who went through the whole ceremony, but also the stories of France and the world.
A ceremony that in 12 scenes tells the story of art, history, symbols and hope for a freer world. Everything refers to France and the homage to fashion could not be missed, with a ‘party’ catwalk. And here there is the cameo of Bebe Vio, the only Italian not in the athletes quota but called to parade. The Paralympic fencing champion, now accustomed to invitations among the greats, was also chosen because she is a symbol of that Europe that wants inclusiveness and that had honored her with an ovation in Parliament a few years ago. Ursula Von der Leyen had said of Bebe “I fell in love with her, she represents the spirit and values of the EU”. Italy leaves its mark in this ceremony made up of so much France and now dreams of the Games.
2024-07-27 14:47:19