The big day has arrived. The day for which France has been preparing for years, for Paris to host what is supposed to be the grandest opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
Despite the sabotage of the TGV high-speed trains, events that captured the attention of the media on the day of the grand opening of the Olympic Games, the atmosphere in the center of Paris seems unchanged compared to the previous days, but completely different from what Parisians were used to living.
Even since the morning the whole city has been in a frenzy. Blocked streets, closed shops, terraces with chairs on tables, gendarmerie, police, army. These are the words that could best describe the center of Paris.
At every step you meet soldiers with their finger on the trigger, because the security measures are at their maximum. Not even the fly enters the areas where the festivities take place, which this time will stretch for 6 kilometers along the Seine river.
The French state took the decision to organize the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in the historic center of the city, completely turning the daily life of the locals upside down. The shops in the center are closed, the famous Parisian terraces loved so much by locals and tourists are deserted. Even the antique dealers on the banks of the Seine have the lock on.
The city is emptier than usual in the summer months. It seems that the Olympic Games scared the tourists who are attracted to the city of love in a number of more than 2 million every year. And this can easily be seen in trains, subways, buses, trams, which, above all, are not crowded.
In the whole center there are filters upon filters, the whole city is full of police, gendarmes, law enforcement from abroad, who have come to give a helping hand to the French police. However, the majority seem to be the volunteers who are absolutely everywhere, in groups of 20-30, in subway and bus stations, at bridges, at all points of interest. I give advice, guide the viewers, even if some of them do not have all the necessary information.
"I can't say that I'm proud that Paris is organizing these Games. Some Parisians are just happy, but I don't know how excited they are that Paris is organizing these competitions. I hope that everything will be fine, everything will go well and not no problem. As you can see, the city is full of law enforcement," says a resident of Paris.
In front of the Paris town hall, a stage occupies the entire square and is surrounded by 2-meter high fences. Getting to the Seine is a real adventure. Without a QR code received from the organizers, you have absolutely no chance. And many times even with two press IDs, one issued by Paris City Hall and another issued by the International Olympic Committee, it's impossible: "You have to go around, sir, it's forbidden around here".
The beautifully flowing and crystal clear Seine, as the Parisian authorities assured the triathletes who will swim in the waters of the river that crosses Paris, is completely closed to pleasure boats. No promenade boat has access except those of the gendarmerie. Athlete delegations are going to parade there.
Dozens of mobile tribunes were placed on the banks of the Seine, so that the organizers could sell as many tickets as possible. At the same time, giant screens were installed, for the best possible visibility of the festivities.
At noon, dozens, if not hundreds, of Parisians occupied the banks of the Seine where the organizers could not set up mobile tribunes, to enjoy the parade of the Olympic teams without paying a ticket. Even without money, those who have the opportunity to live in the blocks near the Seine will attend the parade.
Two tourists from the United States of America came to Paris two days ago and are pleased to talk to journalists from Romania, because "we are friends".
"We came two days ago, we chose to come earlier than 1:30 p.m., because we understood from the organizers that this will be a free area where we will be able to see the opening festivities. I don't know if it will rain, but if it happens that we came prepared with capes and umbrellas. The whole city is secured, there is a lot of army, police, gendarmerie. But we are very excited about what we will see, especially since we didn't buy tickets, it will be free for us. Everything is very secure, it's very well set up, we don't have any problems," said one of them.
Next to it, another family of tourists, from Germany, placed a blanket on the sidewalk. Father and child played a game of cards, and the kid waves a sign with the German flag every time his picture is taken. And they will be spectators without a ticket.
On one of the bridges over the Seine, I met the triathlete Antoanela Manac, who arrived in Paris a few days ago to support the Romanian athletes. Unfortunately, he did not manage to qualify for the Olympic Games, Romania being represented at this test only by the French Felix Duchampt.
"I hope to be able to follow the Romanian delegation when they pass on the Seine in the parade. I will cheer for them. I am staying at a hotel near the river and I have a QR code that allows me to travel in the area, but I do not know if I will have access and at the parade, because I don't have a ticket", says the athlete.
Two women tourists from Brazil are glad they chose Paris, even though their trip of just a few days cost them a fortune.
"For Brazilians it is very expensive to get to Paris. But we don't regret anything at all, the city is fantastic and we are very happy that we got there during the Olympic Games. We are crazy about sports, football in particular. The city seems safe to me, I don't have saw nothing negative", says one of them.
In front of the Louvre museum, one of the areas of high importance at the opening festivities, tents for drinks and food are also organized. A beer costs 9 euros, a glass of wine 6, but for 125 ml, and a soft drink or a bottle of water costs 5 euros.
Thousands of ecological toilets were installed along the entire promenade. Some more open than others, probably depending on the price paid by the spectators of the ceremony. At lunch time they were cleaned, sterilized and the staff provided them with toilet paper.
In the small improvised kitchens in caravans or tents there is a lot of bustle. The employees and cooks from "Fromagerie" were no longer busy with the preparation of snacks for the guests. The wines have already been tapped and some employees are testing the beer dispensers.
On the bridge in front of the gardens of the Louvre museum to make the final preparations for the improvised tribune over the Seine. Hundreds of volunteers place the flags of the countries participating in the Olympic Games on each chair. Nearby, the French even organized an area for people with disabilities.
On the building of the Orsay museum, the snipers are at work. The roof is studded with dozens of policemen, gendarmes and snipers, who scan everything, a sign that the degree of security is at the maximum level.
The Champs Elysees boulevard is a joy for the few tourists who have chosen Paris as their vacation destination these days. And that's because traffic is restricted, only police cars and foreign delegations drive. Police or gendarmerie sirens can be heard from everywhere to alert tourists who are taking photos in the middle of the boulevard.
France seems prepared from all points of view for the grandest opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in history. Everything is set down to the smallest detail. Now there is nothing left to do but to demonstrate that the efforts they have made will turn this ceremony into a true celebration of sport.
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