A unique spectacle – now it’s over to the athletespublished at 22:43 26 July
James FitzGerald
BBC News reporter at the Trocadéro
The weeks, the months – the years – of planning all led to that unique finale of Céline Dion singing atop the Eiffel Tower.
Her comeback performance capped off a remarkable, joyful spectacle that stretched several kilometres along the River Seine.
As the athletes filtered into the Trocadéro viewing area, it was plain to see how much this moment meant to them, as they gleefully took pictures and danced.
Yes, they were rain-soaked – but far from “misérable” as the evening of famous French tunes played out along with a light show.
And what a relief it must have been for Emmanuel Macron, after today’s railway sabotage, not to mention long-running question marks over how the security of such an ambitious and high-stakes event could be guaranteed.
Sporting royalty, a boat procession and even a hot air balloon torch – tonight it was artistic director Thomas Jolly who lit up Paris with his tradition-smashing spectacle.
From tomorrow, it’s over to the athletes.
