Visit olympic opening ceremony is scheduled for this Friday, July 26 in Paris. For the occasion, athletes from all over the world will parade down the Seine, and the singer Aya Nakamura is set to perform an exceptional show, with Céline Dion lady Gaga and other artists. For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, the Opening Ceremony will be held entirely outdoors. But will the opening ceremony be held in wet weather?
The Olympic opening ceremony in the rain – is there a plan B?
It’s a risk the Paris Olympic Committee is prepared to take. Indeed, for the first time in its history, the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games will take place outdoors, without a stadium. This decision was taken to enable as many people as possible to attend the games and experience this historic and sporting moment.
A major challenge, since it means a more extensive safety plan, but also good weather..
In the event of rain or severe weather, Pierre Rabadan, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of Sport and the Games, was very clear: “There will be no plan B”. Spectators will need to be patient, and carry a good umbrella, to take shelter.
70% to 80% chance of rain tonight…
Unfortunately, this Friday, July 26, the weather is unlikely to be kind. Rainfall is expected to peak between 9pm and 11pm. A torrential downpour of up to 25-30 mm. That’s the equivalent of 2 weeks of precipitation in just a few hours…
While a little rain won’t disrupt the ceremony, a heavy downpour or violent thunderstorm would be much more annoying. .. We still remember, one rainy episode was recorded in Paris last summer. Rain also has a negative effect on the Seine, where sporting competitions will take place. Large quantities of water cause sewage to back up and end up in the Seine, greatly compromising its quality. To counter this, the Paris City Council has done everything it can to solve the problem, creating storage systems to recover more rainwater and prevent wastewater overflow.
If the rain becomes too intense, we may have to make a few adjustments. Some of the dancers will be performing on the rooftops of Paris. This could be complicated, or even dangerous, in the event of a heavy downpour. Similarly, fireworks are likely to be compromised, or at least adapted accordingly…
Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this rainy spell isn’t too violent or too long, so as not to spoil the party…