France's Melina Robert-Michon competes in the women's discus throw qualification during the European Athletics Championships. GETTY IMAGES.

The hosts have already prepared their two flag bearers for the grand opening ceremony of the Paris Games, and they will be none other than former Olympic swimming champion Florent Manaudou and discus thrower Melina Robert-Michon.

A grand celebration is set to take place on the Seine River on July 26. Moreover, it will be a historic event, as this aquatic setting will break with Olympic tradition by being held away from the main stadium. Many eyes will be on the two local stars.



Manaudou, a four-time Olympic medalist, including a gold in London 2012, along with Robert-Michon, a silver medalist in Rio 2016, will form a duo chosen by their fellow athletes, and there are high hopes for them to win medals in their respective disciplines.


France's Florent Manaudou reacts after checking his time at the end of the men's 100m freestyle series during the French swimming national Championships. GETTY IMAGES.
France's Florent Manaudou reacts after checking his time at the end of the men's 100m freestyle series during the French swimming national Championships. GETTY IMAGES.


Thus, the swimmer and the discus thrower will be the visible faces of the French delegation, leading the way as thousands of athletes, out of a total of 10,500 competitors, sail down the river in 85 boats, representing the multiculturalism and diversity of the event.

Current estimates suggest that the Seine show, which will be streamed on various platforms, will attract over a billion viewers worldwide.

The ceremony will take place along a six-kilometer stretch of the Seine and will feature around 3,000 dancers, musicians, actors, and artists performing along the banks and bridges in front of nearly half a million spectators on the streets of the French capital.