Flagbearer Tobi Amusan and Nigeria’s team captain Anuoluwapo Opeyori, led Nigerian delegation at a colorful and historic Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony on Friday night.
In spite the rain having its way on the night, athletes were cheered along the Seine as more than 200 national delegations sailed through the centre of Paris and past sights such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay.
For the first time in Summer Games history, the opening ceremony was not held in a stadium.
Nigeria, in her colourful well styled green and white dresses, rode on a boat with Amusan hoisting the flag and supported by Opeyori, alongside the delegation as they sailed across.
Meanwhile, a total of 88 Team Nigeria athletes, comprising 63 women and 25 men, will compete in 12 sports at the Paris Olympics.
More than 10,500 athletes will compete at the Olympics, 100 years since Paris last staged the Games.
The Games started on Wednesday and the first of the 329 gold medals will be awarded on Saturday with the closing ceremony billed for Aug. 11.
UN urges peace, respect for Olympic Truce as games begin
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for global respect of the Olympic Truce – a custom of halting all hostilities from before, to after the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
The UN General Assembly, in November, adopted a vote to observe the truce in Paris.
Guterres made the call on Friday at a press encounter in the French capital alongside International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.
“In a moment like this, it’s important to say that the first recorded in history real peace initiative was the Olympic Truce,” Guterres said in a statement.
“And so, in a moment in which the Olympic Games are going to start, it’s time to remind the world of the importance of the Olympic Truce and to make the world understand that we must silence the guns,” he added.
The UN chief noted that conflicts were ongoing across the globe, including in Gaza, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and more.
He said the Olympic Games symbolise “cooperation and loyal competition, instead of division and conflict”.
“Therefore, we must encourage countries to foster unity the way athletes are, during these games.”
Guterres attended the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has encouraged everyone across the globe to promote “peaceful co-existence and mutual respect” as the refugee team competing in the Games is doing.
“Sport is a symbol of hope and of peace, which are sadly in short supply in our world today,” The High Commissioner, Filippo Grandi, said.
“The refugee team is a beacon for people everywhere. These athletes show what can be achieved when talent is recognised and developed, and when people have opportunities to train and compete alongside the best. They are nothing short of an inspiration,” he added.
This year’s squad consists of 37 athletes – the largest since the 2016 Rio Games when refugee teams first debuted.
On Tuesday, the IOC announced that Grandi would be the third recipient of the Olympic Laurel, an award created to “honour outstanding individuals for their achievements in education, culture, development and peace through sport.”
He received this award during the Olympic opening ceremony.
Gender equality history
UN Women is recognising the 2024 Olympic Games as the first time in history where an equal number of male and female athletes are competing.
“This 50:50 representation of athletes makes the Summer Games the first to reach gender equality,” UN women said.
The agency said the Paris Games are set to ensure a more balanced coverage of the sports events, creating a “spotlight” for all athletes.
However, UN Women recognises that many gender gaps remain in sporting events and says that progress does not stop with balanced gender competitors at the Olympic Games.
