The 2024 Paris Olympic opening ceremony has been marred in controversy with some people dubbing it the ‘worst ever’, but what did the fans really think?
Around 6,800 athletes covered in plastic ponchos attempted to keep spirits high as they travelled down the river Seine on a huge flotilla of 85 boats.
But people were outraged after turning in to watch the opening ceremony and found it had terrible audio due to the torrential rain.
There was also a decapitated Marie Antoinette singing as well as an apparent parody of the Last Supper that was deemed blasphemous by Christians.
The New York Times scathingly called it a ‘bloated made-for-TV spectacle’, with the New York Post labelling it ‘boring, ill-conceived and choppy’.
One social media user said: ‘France is doing good but it’s getting nowhere near the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony.’
MailOnline headed to the French capital to find out what people really thought of the controversial ceremony.
A group of British lads, wearing berets, said the London 2012 opening ceremony was much better than Paris’ effort
An American couple thought the ceremony was one of the best they’d ‘ever seen’. Although, the woman felt parts of it went on for too long
A series of bizarre moments saw a singer dressed as a headless Marie Antoinette
‘Opening Ceremony Misses the Boat’ headlined the New York Times’s television review
‘The Paris Olympics 2024 opening ceremony was a boring, soaking-wet mess,’ declared the New York Post’s Johnny Olesksinski
The Eiffel Tower featured a lights show towards the end of the four-hour show
Torrential rain in Paris marred the opening ceremony with many spectators seen wearing ponchos and holding umbrellas
While some seemed unimpressed, others claimed it was ‘spectacular’ and even the best opening ceremony they’d ever seen.
One group of British lads, wearing French berets, were asked what they thought of the ceremony.
One man said it was ‘underwhelming’ and that he holds the London opening in ‘such high esteem’ that ‘nothing will ever top it’.
He added: ‘It’s ambitious to try something different but from what I hear it was tough for the spectators to get a full sense of it.’
Meanwhile, an American couple, wearing waterproof ponchos, said they had been to opening ceremonies before such as in Rio and were impressed by France’s efforts.
The male said: ‘One of the best opening ceremonies I’ve ever seen.
An American woman said the opening ceremony was ‘completely worth it’ although her clothes were completely soaked
The man in the blue tracksuit is from Congo but lives in Paris. He said ‘the boats were good’
Tennis star Serena Williams makes a pained expression as she rides a boat on the Seine during the Olympic ceremony
The first boats of athletes making their way down the River Seine for the opening ceremony
Team GB’s team embraced the rain, with many opting not to bother with poncho to protect from the torrential showers
‘It wasn’t in an arena, it just showcased Paris. I mean, Paris did a great job.
‘The performance was great. I mean, especially the breakdancing from the paraplegic.
‘It was just touching.’
But his partner added: ‘I think the metal horse thing went on for too long.
‘The passing of the torches also went on for way too long.’
An American woman, wearing an American flag top and holding an American flag umbrella, said: ‘Fully worth it. I mean, we were drenched. I don’t think our clothes will dry out before we leave.
‘But no one left the opening ceremony. It was worth it. It was spectacular.’
Meanwhile, a man in a blue tracksuit, from Paris, said: ‘The boats were good. I see my origin team – I’m from Congo.
‘I like the show’s lights in the sky. It was very beautiful
The catwalk-turned-stage element of the opening ceremony was criticised by some Christians for appearing to parody the last supper
A performer painted blue and covered in flowers and fruit, depicting the Greek god Dionysus, sang in French
The official video of the Paris 2024 opening ceremony has appeared to have been deleted from the Olympics account since the backlash.
Social media users shared a screenshot of the organisation’s footage, which showed a blank screen with the caption ‘this video is not available’.
Meanwhile, the show also does not appear to be on their YouTube channel – despite there being coverage of the games both before and after the ceremony.
Also, full-length versions of the ceremonies for London 2012, Rio 2016, Beijing 2022 and even Nagano 1998 are all available.
Neither the Olympics nor the Paris Games have given any reason for this apparent omission. Both have been contacted for comment.
Friday night was saved by the return to the stage of Celine Dion, who performed beneath the Eiffel Tower and the Olympic rings
The 2024 opening ceremony was hugely criticised with viewers reporting poor audio caused by the near-torrential rain.
Performances from Lady Gaga and approximately 3,000 dancers, acrobats and actors were hard to hear over the sound of rain.
But Friday night was saved by the return to the stage of Celine Dion, who performed beneath the Eiffel Tower and the Olympic rings.
Fans were left unimpressed by the unique approach to the opening ceremony, with one writing online: ‘I’m sorry but this is the worst Olympic opening ceremony in memory.
‘It’s an interesting idea bringing the athletes in on boats but it looks rubbish and misses the roar of the crowd. Sorry but not for me.’
Even within France, the reception was muted, with Le Figaro saying the show was ‘great but some of it was just too much’.
