The Paris Olympics opening ceremony left many viewers wondering if the Olympic cauldron was sent up into the sky in a hot-air balloon. Was the cauldron itself a hot-air balloon? Would it float around in the sky for two weeks? These questions and more may have crossed your mind if you watched the spectacular event on Friday.
In short, the cauldron will be on the ground during the day, but at sunset each night, a balloon will raise it into the sky while it remains tethered to the ground. The 30-meter high cauldron with a 7-meter diameter ring of fire will fly 60 meters above the ground from sunset until 2 a.m., although it will not be free-floating but attached to the ground. The balloon itself resembles a traditional hot-air balloon but operates with a 100% electric flame.
The typical tradition of keeping the cauldron on the ground in the main Olympic stadium for the duration of the Games was altered for the Paris Olympics. With athletes arriving on boats down the Seine River, there was no designated stadium for the ceremony’s end and the cauldron’s placement and lighting.
Instead, athletes from various countries, including France and the US, passed the Olympic flame from one to another until it reached the Jardin des Tuileries near the Louvre Museum. This unique approach paid tribute to France’s hot-air balloon history, stemming from the first-ever hot-air balloon flight in Paris in 1783 and the invention of the captive balloon by French engineer Henri Giffard in 1878.
Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet emphasized the significance of the Cauldron lighting as it signals the commencement of the Games. By introducing the Flying Cauldron, the organizers aimed to honor France’s spirit of daring, creativity, innovation, and at times, madness that are deeply ingrained in Paris 2024’s DNA.
The 100% electric flame used in the cauldron consumes no fuel and is enhanced by 40 LED spotlights and 200 high-pressure misting nozzles that create a stunning visual display.
“Thanks to an innovation by EDF, the Paris 2024 Cauldron will boast a 100% electric flame,” said Luc Rémont, chairman and CEO of EDF. “This ‘electric revolution’ marks a historic moment in making the Games more sustainable and responsible through our creative collaboration and the design of a flame fueled by water and light.”
The Paris Olympics are set to continue through August 11, offering athletes and spectators alike a showcase of outstanding performances and memorable moments.
Conclusion
As the Paris Olympics unfold with their unique blend of tradition and innovation, the Flying Cauldron stands as a symbol of France’s pioneering spirit and commitment to sustainable practices. The melding of past achievements in hot-air balloon technology with cutting-edge electric flame technology embodies the essence of the Paris 2024 Games.
With each sunset bringing the cauldron ablaze in the Parisian sky, spectators are treated to a mesmerizing sight that encapsulates the excitement and energy of the Olympic Games. This bold move to reimagine the lighting of the cauldron showcases the organizers’ vision for a future where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand.
So, as we cheer on athletes from around the world and marvel at the feats of human skill and determination, let us also celebrate the spirit of Paris 2024 and the Flying Cauldron that symbolizes the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.
