WASHINGTON — After years of waiting, the 2024 Paris Olympics will officially get underway with a first-of-its-kind Opening Ceremony.
The event will feature an open-air ceremony with around 10,000 Olympians sailing down the Seine River on more than 90 boats at sunset toward the Eiffel Tower.
While exactly what to expect during the nearly four-hour celebration is a closely guarded secret, the Parade of Nations will give athletes from more than 200 countries their moment in the spotlight.
When does Team USA march in the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony?
The order which countries enter for the Parade of Nations is traditionally in alphabetical order based on the language of the host country.
But there are some notable exceptions, which will directly involve the U.S. team for the Paris Olympics.
The IOC introduced a new tradition a few years back to honor upcoming host countries. Since the Tokyo Olympics, upcoming hosts have marched just ahead of the host country at the end of the Parade of Nations. That means the United States and Australia (hosts of the 2028 and 2032 games, respectively) will appear at the end just before France.
The U.S. will be the 204th team to arrive and France will be the 205th.
When the Olympics kick off, Team USA will be wearing a "distinctively American" outfit - tailored navy blazers from Ralph Lauren and blue jeans.
When is the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony?
The 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony begins on Friday, July 26 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern, 12:30 p.m. Central, 11:30 a.m. Mountain and 10:30 a.m. Pacific.
NBC and Peacock will have live coverage of the Opening Ceremony beginning at Noon Eastern.
Telemundo will also provide Spanish-language coverage beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
Primetime coverage of the Opening Ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and Peacock.