By REY C. LACHICA
With all the trappings, perhaps much bolder than a state visit and glitzier than a mega fashion show, Paris will become even more lovelier when the French capital stages the 33rd edition of the Summer Olympics on Friday, July 26.
And the famed River Seine will become a virtual runway as American LeBron James, Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo, and even French giant Victor Wembanyama join other global stars in an opening ceremony very unique from the past.
It marks the first time in Olympic history that the ceremony – projected to last three hours and 30 minutes – be held outside the confines on a colossal stadium.
So it’s going to be a new experience, perhaps new adventure, as the parade of close to 11,000 athletes will take place on the river, with each nation and dozens of powerful figures assigned a boat each.
Only 16 of 22 Filipino athletes will join the parade of athletes – one of the most awaited parts of an elaborate ceremony – with boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam tasked to carry the Philippine flag.
This is also first time that the City of Light will host the biggest sports show on earth since it last staged it 100 years ago – the year that saw female athletes compete for the first time. Paris first dazzled the sports fans in 1900.
Interestingly, the Philippines is celebrating its 100 years of participation in the quadrennial event with Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino oozing with confidence the country can exceed the 1 gold, 2 silver and 1bronze medal performance during the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games.
“Definitely, we will deliver. Definitely, we will surpass Tokyo (Olympics),” said Tolentino during a recent Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Joining the Tokyo silver medalists in the parade are their fellow boxers Aira Villegas and Hergie Bacyadan, hurdlers Lauren Hoffman and John Cabang Tolentino, swimmers Kayla Sanchez and Jarrod Hatch, gymnast Aleah Finnegan and fencer Samantha Catantan.
Tokyo bronze medalist Eumir Felix Marcial, gymnast Carlos Yulo and rower Joanie Delgaco will not join the parade as they have scheduled games the following day.
World No. 2 pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena begged off from taking part in the lavish opening ceremony starting 7:30 p.m. (1:30 a.m. in Manila).
Weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Febuar Ceniza and Erleen Ann Ando will miss the chance of a lifetime – taking part in the parade – as they have yet to conclude their training in Germany. They are expected to enter the Olympic Village on Aug. 6.
Cavite Governor Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, who is the Chef de Mission, and sports association heads Michael Angelo Vargas (swimming), Marcus Manalo (boxing), Cynthia Carrion Norton (gymnastics), Patrick Gregorio (rowing) and Agapito “Terry” Capistrano (athletics) will also be on the boat assigned for the Philippines.
“The schedule of our Olympian athletes have been meticulously crafted by their coaches so there won’t be hitches as they approach their competition days,” said Tolentino, who made the rounds of the Athletes Village after arriving in Paris on Wednesday and got to meet former multiple pro boxing champion Gennadiy Gennadyevich Golovkin, or Triple G, who’s part of the Kazakhstan boxing team.
Completing the PH delegation are gymnasts Emma Malabuyo and Levi Ruivivar, golfers Bianca Pagdangan and Dottie Ardina and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe.
The organizers said that parade of athletes will cover 6 kms on the Seine and the party starts at sunset.
As in the past, the Greeks will lead the way in the parade of countries and the proud host nation last in the convoy – but is expected to receive the loudest cheers from around 300,000 spectator – most of them paid a fortune to be a witness to a wondrous gathering of super athletes.
Organizers also expect 1 billion viewers from different platforms.
The grand finale will be held at the Trocadéro esplanade that is facing the iconic Eiffel Tower.
A total of 32 sports will be contested in the 15-day battle for supremacy with breaking or breakdancing – making its debut.
After the national anthem of each country be played, official speeches and symbolic releases of doves, the athletes, officials and spectators along the banks of the river will be treated to a night to remember with performances blending theatre, dance, circus and opera that will depict the rich cultural heritage of the French – not to mention some impressive things that will delight everyone.
Renowned stage director Thomas Jolly will be in charge of the ambitious project, and being an avid lover of Shakespearean epics, expect to see the great history of the nation and its ever-enchanting places, especially Paris.
For sure, it’s going to be a starry 2024 Paris Olympics.
