The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics makes waves literally and figuratively
For the first time in history, athletes were not led into the host city’s stadium but placed on boats and sent along the Seine to wave to spectators. Cameras captured the moment when a tennis player was visibly seasick from the waves.
27 July 2024 19:46
On July 26, athletes, coaches, and journalists worldwide witnessed an unforgettable ceremony, the details of which had been kept a great secret until the very end. The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games took place outside the stadium, focusing on showcasing Paris's most significant tourist attractions.
The organizers prepared a true feast for the eyes and ears, with the highlight undoubtedly being a concert by Celine Dion, who returned to the stage after several years specifically for this occasion.
Among the delegations sailing on the Seine, there were, of course, some of the world's most outstanding athletes, among whom a soaking-wet Serena Williams could be spotted. The Olympic gold medallist became the centre of attention at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, even though she wasn't competing.
Along with other gold medallists - tennis player Rafael Nadal, gymnast Nadia Elena Comăneci, and track and field athlete Carl Lewis - they sailed on the Olympic boat, "carrying the flame" as part of the traditional cauldron lighting ceremony.
Although they tried to stay calm, the dynamic rocking of the boat made it impossible, especially for Serena. Cameras caught the moment when the clearly panicked tennis player let out a muffled scream and then covered her mouth. The video of the athlete losing her balance and appearing nauseous quickly spread across the internet.
She was fighting for her life on that boat; she was in shock because she almost fell off that boat - read the comments on TikTok.
Take a look at the mentioned video. Do you sympathize with her?
