What you need to know about the Paris 2024 opening ceremony

Paris will kick off its 2024 Olympics with a groundbreaking opening ceremony on the Seine River on July 26. Instead of a traditional stadium setting, athletes and performers will parade on boats along a 6km route from the Austerlitz bridge to the Eiffel Tower, passing iconic landmarks. The four-hour spectacle, starting at 7:30 p.m., will feature music, dance, and performances. Over 100 heads of state, 300,000 spectators, and 45,000 police for security are expected, marking a historic and secure celebration.