WASHINGTON — Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday with a rule-breaking Opening Ceremony studded with stars and fantasy as it showcased the city’s resilience.
One of the biggest signs of the European city's resilience was during the Opening Ceremony when Notre Dame Cathedral's bells rang for the first time in five years.
The medieval monument was ravaged by a fire in 2019, which almost destroyed the more than 800-year-old Parisian landmark.
Since then, the city has worked to gradually repair and rebuild the historic cathedral -- a five-year journey full of challenges and delays.
Damages from the blaze included a collapsed roof and spire as well as a destroyed interior.
Heading into the Paris Olympics, the cathedral's new spire was unveiled in February with a golden rooster and a cross.
Notre Dame's restoration is slated for completion by the end of 2024.
The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and other iconic monuments also played a big role in Friday's Opening Ceremony. Award-winning theater director Thomas Jolly, the show's creative mind, aims to represent the diverse and dynamic spirit of France, subverting stereotypes while celebrating the country’s rich culture.
Roughly 1.5 billion people are expected to watch the ceremony worldwide, or roughly 1 in every 5 people on the planet.
