Lady Gaga to dazzle at Paris Olympic opening ceremony, but all 117 Indian athletes won't attend the mega extravaganza; Here's why

The world eagerly awaits the grand spectacle of the Paris Olympics 2024 Opening Ceremony. Taking place on Friday, July 26, this event marks a historic departure from tradition as it unfolds not within a stadium, but along the iconic Seine River. India will be among the nations participating in this extraordinary celebration. The ceremony is set to begin at 11:00 PM IST and will be broadcast live for Indian viewers. This unprecedented event will showcase the beauty of Paris as athletes from around the globe parade along the river, creating a truly unforgettable experience.

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Star-Studded Lineup for Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

Meanwhile, as per French newspaper Le Parisien, Lady Gaga is set to perform at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games 2024. The highly anticipated Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony will feature a star-studded lineup of performers. Global icons Celine Dion and Lady Gaga are set to share the stage for a duet of a classic Edith Piaf song, believed to be ‘La Vie en Rose’. French sensation Aya Nakamura will also grace the stage with a performance of a Charles Aznavour classic, accompanied by the Republican Guard. Breaking new ground, the heavy metal band Gojira will make history as the first of their genre to perform at an Olympics. The lineup promises a diverse and unforgettable musical experience for the world. 

A Showcase of French Musical Talent

The Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony will feature a diverse range of French musical artists. The lineup includes unique collaborations, such as a duet between pianist Sofiane Pamart and singer Juliette Armanet, and an unexpected pairing of opera singer Marina Viotti with the eco-metal band Gojira. Additionally, the dynamic duo of singer Philippe Katerine and drummer Cerrone will present a collaborative set. Renowned Parisian rapper Rim'K will also make an appearance, adding to the eclectic mix of performers.

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Snoop Dogg Joins Olympic Torch Relay

Music icon Snoop Dogg added another title to his impressive resume on Friday. The rapper and television personality became an Olympic torchbearer, carrying the flame in the lead-up to the Paris 2024 opening ceremony. The event took place near the Stade de France in the northern Parisian suburb of Saint-Denis.

India's Contingent for Olympics Opening Ceremony

India will be represented by a contingent of 78 athletes and officials from 12 different sports at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) prioritized athlete participation in the parade, ensuring that all available athletes were included.

Recognizing the importance of competition, the IOA respected the decisions of athletes who opted out of the ceremony to focus on their upcoming events. Badminton star PV Sindhu and table tennis ace Sharath Kamal have been chosen as the flagbearers for the Indian contingent.

Prominent athletes from the 12 disciplines:
 

Archery: Deepika Kumari and Tarundeep Rai.
Badminton: PV Sindhu
Boxing: Lovlina Borgohain
Equestrian: Anush Agarwalla
Golf: Shubhankar Sharma
Hockey: Krishan Pathak, Nilakanta Sharma and Jugraj Singh
Judo: Tulika Mann
Sailing: Vishnu Saravanan and Nethra Kumanan
Shooting: Anjum Moudgil, Sift Kaur Samra, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Anish.
Swimming: Srihari Nataraj and Dhinidhi Desinghu
Table Tennis: Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra
Tennis: Rohan Bopanna, Sumit Nagal and Sriram Balaji.

Notably, Balraj Panwar (Rowing) has his race on Saturday morning (July 27). The Athletics, Weightlifting and Wrestling teams are yet to reach Paris.

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