Games to officially begin with opening ceremony

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has declared that the Seine River is clean enough for Olympic swimmers, following a $1.5 billion effort to clean up the river in time for the Paris Games. Despite initial safety concerns due to high levels of E. coli in early June, recent water tests have shown improvement. The festive atmosphere in Paris is palpable as the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics approaches, with a unique Parade of Nations set to take place on the Seine River, involving over 10,000 athletes sailing through the city’s iconic landmarks. However, France’s high-speed train network has been disrupted by “malicious acts” ahead of the games, with officials condemning the disruptions that are expected to affect travel plans for many during the weekend. The opening ceremony, the most ambitious in Olympic history, promises a unique and creative experience starting at the Austerlitz Bridge and ending at the Trocadéro near the Eiffel Tower. Viewers can tune in to watch the ceremony on NBC, Peacock, and the NBC and NBC Olympics apps, with live coverage starting at 1:30 p.m. ET. Additional updates throughout the day will be provided by the NBC News live blogging team.

Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com