Reality of the biggest moment on earth as Paris gears up for Olympics Opening Ceremony

In just a matter of days, one city could rise to a historic first — or be crushed by the powers and unforgiving whims of mother nature.

It’s hard not to be intrigued by the growing number of mounded tarps of blue and white on the banks of the world’s most iconic river.

Flanked by armed police and military units, sniffer dogs, road blocks and steel barricades — the Seine has become a scene of epic proportions.

Snaking more than 777 kilometres through northern France, this river remains central to Parisian life, culture and identity – and in just several days time, all eyes will be on a mere 6km of it.

The Seine will be the star of the show for the opening ceremony. Picture: Maja Hitij/Getty Images.

Final preperations are in place for the Olympic Opening Ceremony in Paris. Picture: Maja Hitij/Getty Images.

After a swift 72-hour visit just days out from the 2024 Olympics, I could see why more locals have fled the city, making way for the millions that will descend on the streets of Paris over the course of the games.

For the city of love, there hasn’t been a lot of it towards the global event. While most countries around the world embrace the hosting duties, it’s been no secret that Parisians would rather see anything but fall on their fairytale-like streets.

A survey published by The Spectator earlier this year revealed that nearly 44 per cent of locals thought the Olympics were a ‘bad thing’, while 52 per cent of local residents considered leaving Paris for the duration of the games.

The Seine will be on show for the opening ceremony. Picture: Maja Hitij/Getty Images.

There’s very little detail around what will happen during the opening ceremony. Picture: JOEL SAGET / AFP.

One of the most notable detractions from the otherwise picturesque streets of Paris was the huge police presence and blocked roads at every turn.

And while I didn’t notice a great deal of cafe or boutique closures, one thing is for sure – Paris is looking her absolute best. And that goes for the green glisten of the Seine as well.

The river itself will host perhaps the most epic moment of the next two weeks — as almost 100 boats and around 10,000 athletes drift down 6km of river and past iconic landmarks for the opening ceremony.

From Notre Dame to Pont Neuf and finally the Eiffel Tower — the Seine will set the scene as potentially the most mind-blowing opening ceremony of all time. Or, if one element has its way, perhaps the worst.

Mother Nature could throw the opening ceremony into chaos. Picture: EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP.

Following the Opening Ceremony, the Seine will be used for a number of events. Picture: EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP.

The opening ceremony has been under wraps in the lead up to the big event, including the identity of performers and even what will be happening along the banks of the river.

With more than a billion set to tune in to watch the Olympic Games in Paris, the opening ceremony on the Seine could be thrown into jeopardy if rain hits or the river sees a tide rise or abnormally strong conditions.

Last month proved how easily the ceremony itself could be thrown into disarray. A planned rehearsal for the outdoor opening ceremony was pushed back because recent heavy rains caused an already fast flowing Seine to be going five times faster than it normally does.

The rehearsal would have featured around 90 barges which will be used to transport teams on their parade down the river in the July 26 ceremony.

It’s an opening ceremony plan that would make Paris the first Olympics ever to host an opening ceremony outside its main stadium and a sporting event never before seen in history.

But it’s an attempt that comes with enormous risk.

To make the river as secure as can be for the opening, local and federal law enforcement are planning around 45,000 officers, up from the 30,000 expected daily during the rest of the Olympics.

Workers inspect spectator stands on Pont du Carrousel over the River Seine. Picture: EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP.

Security is peaking in Paris for the games. Picture: ALAIN JOCARD / AFP.

It’s been reported that the French military will bring in another 15,000 for the entirety of the Games, and Paris 2024 will bring in up to 22,000 private security personnel.

French president Emmanuel Macron has said there is a Plan B should the security risk become too great, however he and other officials have insisted the Opening Ceremony on the Seine will be safe.

But while it feels like there is still a marathon effort still at play ahead of Friday’s audacious plan, Tony Estanguet, the Paris Olympics chief, said city is “ready” for the event.

“We are ready as we head into the final phase,” Estanguet told a press conference in Paris.

“For as long as the closing ceremony hasn’t finished, we need to remain vigilant. But today we are exactly where we would have dreamed of being a few years ago.”

While 300,000 ticketed spectators will watch from stands and the riverbanks, there will be an additional 200,000 viewing from apartments overlooking the area.

So while the potentially breathtaking ceremony will be a world first, there’s no doubt that what unfolds on the murky green river Seine will well and truly be at the hands of mother nature.