Paris. The world's largest sporting event, the Paris 2024 Olympics, officially commenced with a groundbreaking opening ceremony held for the first time in history outside a stadium, along the Seine River in Paris, France, on Friday.

Despite the weather, crowds crammed the Seine's banks and bridges and watched from balconies, “oohing” and “aahing” as Olympic teams paraded in boats down the waterway that got increasingly choppy.

Many of the hundreds of thousands of spectators huddled under umbrellas, plastic ponchos or jackets as the rains intensified, others danced and sang, and some dashed from their seats for shelter.

Thousands of athletes on 85 boats started the 6-kilometer (nearly 4-mile) parade on the Seine by breaking through curtains of water cascading down from Austerlitz Bridge. 

The Indonesian team made a stunning appearance during the parade, conducted on boats that navigated the river past historic monuments in the French capital. For this opening, the Indonesian team donned outfits designed by Ragowo Hediprasetyo Djojohadikusumo, also known as Didit Prabowo, son of President-elect Prabowo Subianto. Fourteen athletes and team officials were aboard a boat shared with teams from India and Iran.

The outfits, inspired by the painter Raden Saleh, were worn by the 14 athletes and officials, including Chef de Mission (CdM) Anindya Bakrie. Judo athlete Maryam March Maharani served as the flag bearer for the Indonesian team, accompanied by cyclist Bernard Van Aert and swimmers Azzahra Permatahani and Joe Aditya.

The attire showcased traditional Javanese clothing with a modern twist. Didit Hediprasetyo's creation was inspired by the spirit of honoring Indonesia's cultural heritage and the spirit of unity and nationalism. Raden Saleh, a pioneering Romantic painter from Java, served as the foundational inspiration for the collection.

Anindya Novyan Bakrie expressed pride, noting that the spirit and resilience of Team Indonesia were reflected in their attire. The combination of local wisdom, inspired by an Indonesian legend whose work left a mark at the Louvre, Raden Saleh, was evident.

"In line with Team Indonesia's global spirit at the Paris 2024 Olympics, this uniform also has meaning and a connection to Paris, carrying the nation's name. Hopefully, this will also inspire the athletes who will compete and strive to uphold the Red and White on the international stage," said Anindya Bakrie.

This opening ceremony marked the first in Olympic history to be held outside the main stadium, with athletes parading on the Seine using a fleet of 85 boats, passing by iconic French landmarks.

Around 300,000 spectators watched from specially constructed stands along the riverbanks, while another 200,000 viewed from balconies and apartments overlooking the river. They braved the elements with umbrellas and raincoats to witness the Olympic parade.

In keeping with tradition, the Greek delegation had the honor of leading the fleet, paying homage to the country where the modern Olympic movement was born. Despite heavy rain, the athletes' spirits remained high, as they continued the opening ceremony wearing clear raincoats over their parade outfits.

The event showcased French culture and history, with a pre-recorded cabaret-style segment featuring American pop star Lady Gaga standing out in the early stages of the parade.

Lady Gaga sang in French in a prerecorded bit, with dancers shaking pink plumed pompoms, injecting a cabaret feel. On the Eiffel Tower, Celine Dion closed the show with her first live performance since the French-Canadian singer was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder, at the end of 2022.

More than three hours into the show, French President Emmanuel Macron declared the Games open. In a gaffe before that, the five-ring Olympic flag was raised upside down at the Trocadero across from the Eiffel Tower.

Dozens of can-can dancers in pink skirts added a vibrant touch along the banks of the Seine in another highlight. The landmarks and architecture of the City of Light provided a backdrop for both the Friday night performance and much of the subsequent sporting competitions.

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