What to expect, where to watch 2024 Paris Olympics

The 2024 Paris Olympics will shine a spotlight on Filipino athletes, building on the historic triumph of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who captured the Philippines’ first-ever gold medal, along with other podium finishes in the previous Olympics.

This year, returning Olympians such as gymnast Carlos Yulo, star pole vaulter EJ Obiena and boxer Eumir Marcial are among those expected to aim for podium finishes or gold medals, drawing from their impressive performances at the 2020 Tokyo Games and various continental competitions in recent years.

But before the competition heats up, let’s take a look at what to expect from the Opening Ceremony and where to watch it.

A river parade

According to E! News, the Opening Ceremony will see Kelly Clarkson, NFL legend Peyton Manning and Sunday Night Football announcer Mike Tirico in one grand event.

Aside from the ceremony being a star-studded one, this year’s edition will be totally different from the previous years. This year’s Opening Ceremony will make history as the first to take place outside of a traditional stadium. The athletes from nearly 100 countries, including the Philippine delegation,

are expected to parade on boats along the Seine River.

“I think it’s gonna be one of the best, if not the best Opening Ceremony. Imagine everybody standing outside, across the bridges cheering people up. It was never done before…,” Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt stated on the Olympics website after sailing on the same river for the presentation of the Olympic and Paralympic torches for the Games in 2023.

Where to watch

The Opening Ceremony will kick off at 1:30 p.m. EST and is expected to last over three hours.

As posted on the official website of Paris Olympics, “You will be able to watch every moment from the Olympic Games Paris 2024 live thanks to the Official Olympic Media Rights Holders. They will bring all the excitement and drama of the Olympic Games to you, live & on-demand, with the most comprehensive, relevant and tailored offerings wherever you are.”

In the Philippines, viewers can watch online at Pilipinaslive.com, gigaplay.smart, cignalplay.com, OneSports.ph, pldthome.com and redfiber.com.

Meanwhile, in the US, viewers can watch the live broadcast on NBC and stream it via Peacock, the NBC app, NBC Olympics app, NBC.com and NBCOlympics.com.