The Paris Olympics 2024 Opening Ceremony, held on July 26 along the River Seine, was a dazzling display featuring a grand boat parade and remarkable spectacles.
One standout moment was the prominent inclusion of Hindi, one of India’s official languages, in the ceremony. This reflects the widespread use of Hindi in India and adds a global touch to the event.
The Paris 2024 Olympics marks a historic achievement as the first modern Games to achieve full gender parity, with an equal number of female and male athletes competing. The ceremony showcased statues of influential women like Gisele Halimi (1927-2020), Christine De Piza (1364-1431), and Alice Guy (1873-1968), who have made significant contributions to their fields.
In a notable gesture of inclusivity, multilingual descriptions of these statues were provided, including Hindi among six languages used—French, English, Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, and Hindi.
Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), highlighted the significance of this achievement, calling it “one of the most important moments in the history of women at the Olympic Games and in sport overall.”
The Paris 2024 Olympics not only celebrates athletic excellence but also champions gender equality, setting a new standard for future Games. The inclusion of Hindi and the focus on gender parity underscore the event’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, making the opening ceremony a landmark occasion in Olympic history.