Olympics fans have blasted the 2024 opening ceremony in Paris as a ‘mess’ as they yearned for the glory days of London 2012.
Viewers complained the first night of the sports competition was underwhelming in comparison to the theatrics in the UK capital including a comedy sketch with the Queen and Daniel Craig as James Bond.
The French ceremony included ‘dull’ moments such as 85 boats carrying the team delegations on a six-kilometre journey through the Seine and a music performance of Les Miserable.
However, fans have been left feeling cold by the unfolding event, with @EmiEleode fuming on X: ‘I’m sorry but the Paris Olympics #OpeningCeremony is bad. I can’t believe the mess I’m watching. Nothing so far has matched the London 2012 one which was spectacular. Also the Beijing one in 2008.’
Echoing their sentiment, @Laura_StyleBuzz lamented: ‘All the best intentions and there are some beautiful artsy bits but it’s just so dull and depressing #OpeningCeremony I think Paris need to take a leaf out of our book.. London 2012 absolutely smashed it!
@Saintsmadmomma raged: ‘This literally wet blanket #OpeningCeremony is making me long for the 2012 one. Sorry Paris, but you’re a long way off London standards.’
@nickw84 also added: ‘Seeing lots of “You’re just comparing it to 2012” tweets and just to be 100% clear I think this is bad compared to ALL Opening Ceremonies I’ve seen and not just the London 2012 Olympics one. #OpeningCeremony.’
However, many viewers watching the ceremony from home disagreed, particularly after watching performances from the likes of heavy metal band Gojira.
On X, @nchamp62 heaped praise on the Olympics opening night, saying: The opening ceremony for Paris 2024 was bloody great. On a par with London 2012. As quintessentially French as London 2012 was British
@vnlbeans agreed and added: ‘The London ceremony was great but to be fair so is this. Very Stylish and Paris looks beautiful, even in the rain. #OpeningCeremony.’
Lady Gaga was the first singer to perform at the opening ceremony and surprised viewers by singing in French during her performance, which saw her deliver a burlesque take on the French classic Mon Truc En Plume.
The 38-year-old emerged from a plume of pink feathers as she sang alongside a group of dancers while wearing a black bodice with a detachable black and pink ruffled skirt.
The Poker Face singer performed next to the River Seine, near the Notre Dame cathedral, during what is the first-ever opening ceremony to be staged outside a stadium.
Following a sequence paying homage to the historical epic, French heavy metal band Gojira performed at the Conciergerie, a former courthouse and prison in the city.
Among the other performers was French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura, who sang while dressed in a golden dress paired with gladiator boots and gold jewellery.
The celebrations were met with heavy rain with artists including pianist Alexandre Kantorow, braving heavy showers during their performances.
The event concluded with an unforgettable performance by Celine Dion, her first since revealing she is living with stiff person syndrome.
The My Heart Will Go On pop legend sung Edith Piaf’s L’Hymne A L’Amour on the first stage of the Eiffel Tower.
She appeared dressed in a beaded silver gown with a high neckline and seemed emotional as she came to the climax of the song.
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