The excitement is building ahead of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
Thousands of athletes from around the world have practiced and trained their entire lives for an opportunity to compete for a chance to make the podium and bring home an Olympic medal.
The world will be introduced to the 10,500 athletes competing in this year's 329 medal events on Friday as they float down the city's iconic Seine River. An estimated 300,000 spectators are expected to line the banks of the river to cheer on the athletes.
Among those representing the USA, will more than 75 athletes with direct ties to the Peach State. As the athletes make their way along the river, they will pass by some of the Games venues. Those include the Parc Urbain La Concorde, the Esplanade des Invalides, the Grand Palais and the lena bridge.
Of course security will be top priority for the city. It's estimated more than 50,000 security officers will be patrolling the city. During the Opening Ceremony, airspace will be closed around the city.
The Opening Ceremony is expected to be viewed by billions around the world. The Atlanta 1996 Summer Games still holds the title as the most watched Summer Olympics ever.
Since Atlanta hosted the Games 28 years ago, a lot has changed.
Fifty-eight events have been added to the Games since then. In Paris one new sport, breakdancing, is making its debut while sport climbing will feature new medals for speed climbing.
For the first time ever, the IOC said women will have the same number of spots in the Games as men. And unlike any Summer Olympics in history, the Women's Marathon will close out the Paris Games on the same day as the Closing Ceremony. Until now, that final event was always reserved for the Men's Marathon.
While there are many firsts for the Paris Games, if you watched the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, you'll see a familiar face performing at the Open Ceremony. Celine Dion is reportedly making her return to the stage since she stepped away in 2022 for health reasons. Dion also performed at the Opening Ceremony in Atlanta.
The Opening Ceremony has been in the planning for a couple years but reportedly has never been rehearsed outside a stadium setting. There will be 94 boats in the parade down the Seine.
There are several ways you can watch the Opening Ceremony. We have that information plus the time of the Opening Ceremony here.