The Paris 2024 Olympics officially begin with an ambitious Opening Ceremony

The GIST: The glitz, the celebs, the ’fits — there’s nothing quite like the Olympics Opening Ceremony. Here’s what to expect from what’s bound to be an epic display in Paris.

An ambitious venue: This will be the first Summer Games Opening Ceremony to take place outside of a stadium. Instead, roughly 94 boats will carry athletes down 6 km of the Seine River, with the City of Lights as the star of the show (other than les Phryges, of course).

• With 80 giant screens and thousands of seats along the route, it’ll be one of the most accessible Opening Ceremonies ever.

De Grasse and Charron carry the Maple Leaf: Team Canada athletes elected sprinter Andre De Grasse and weightlifter Maude Charron to bear the Canadian flag during the Parade of Nations.

• Both captured gold in Tokyo, and De Grasse is the Great White North’s most decorated Summer Olympian ever with six medals in only two trips to the Games. Can’t wait to see what he does during number three.

Céline Dion and Lady Gaga rumored to perform: The plan for the entertainment is more secret than Beyoncé’s Hot Ones appearance, but rumor has it these two gold medal–level divas will bless fans with an appearance. Near, far, wherever you are…it’s going to be epic.