Paris will kick off the Olympics with an unprecedented river-based opening ceremony on the Seine on July 26th. Organizers promise a unique spectacle featuring over 10,000 athletes and performers parading along the river.
The ceremony will depart from the Austerlitz Bridge, pass iconic landmarks like Notre-Dame Cathedral, and culminate near the Eiffel Tower. Twelve parts of the show will play on French cultural clichés. Some 300,000 spectators and over 100 heads of state are expected to be in attendance.
A robust security plan involves 45,000 police officers, snipers, and anti-drone systems. QR code permits will be required for access, and several metro stations and bridges will be closed for the event.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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