Paris 2024: What can we expect from the opening ceremony?

The Olympics kick off in the French capital this week

The world is getting ready for the 2024 Olympics, with the opening ceremony kicking things off this Friday in Paris.

It's an exciting time for many fans, as it'll officially mark the beginning of the much-anticipated Games.

So what can we expect from the event?

Read on to find out more.

Where will the ceremony happen?

The opening ceremony will take place on Paris' famous River Seine

Olympic opening ceremonies are known for being held in huge stadiums, but the start of the Paris Games will look a little different.

The event won't be held in a stadium this time around, but will instead be taking place on Paris' famous River Seine.

Instead of marching along an athletics track, the sportsmen and women will be part of a parade through the capital city.

Athletes will travel along a 6km route on nearly 100 boats, and will sail past some of Paris' most famous landmarks, including Notre Dame and the Louvre.

The boats will arrive opposite the Trocadero, which is the area across from the iconic Eiffel Tower. This is where the official protocols will happen, the Olympic cauldron will be lit, and the Paris 2024 Games officially declared open by French president Emmanuel Macron.

Thousands of fans will line the river and streets to watch all the action, with many more spectators expected to tune in live from their homes on the night.

The decision to hold the ceremony outdoors also means Paris 2024 will be the largest opening ceremony in terms of audience and geographical coverage.

How many athletes are involved?

Thousands of athletes will compete during the Olympics

Almost 100 boats carrying around 10,500 athletes will travel along the Seine during the parade.

The larger of the 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), which each represent the interests of their countries, will have boats to themselves, and the smaller ones will share boats.

What will athletes be wearing?

Some of the Olympic outfits will reflect the culture of their countries like these ones from Mongolia

A number of top brands have designed uniforms for different countries' athletes.

Some reflect the culture and heritage of the various nations, while others are more sporty.

Audiences can expect to see lots of vibrant colours reflecting the flags of the countries taking part.

Who'll be performing?

The iconic Eiffel Tower will be one of the landmarks seen during the opening ceremony

The details around the entertainment have largely been kept a secret, so we don't yet know which artists will be involved.

However, there have been some hints about what fans can expect, with elements of both the old and the new coming together.

"I’d like to show France in all its diversity," said Thomas Jolly, who is overseeing the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies as artistic director.

He said he hopes the ceremony will "illustrate the richness and plurality shaped by its history, which has been influenced and inspired by the diverse cultures that have passed through it, while itself serving as a source of inspiration."

We do know that there will be about 400 dancers involved in the ceremony who will be stationed on every bridge along the parade route.

When is the ceremony?

The Paralympic symbol can be seen on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

The ceremony will start at 7.30pm French time (6.30pm UK time) on Friday 26 July.

It's expected to last just under four hours, and will wind down as the sun sets across the French capital.

Are you looking forward to the Olympics and what events are you excited to watch? Let us know in the comments below.