The most memorable part of the Paris Olympics may be uncompetitive
Opening ceremonies remain a core part of the Olympic experience

SOME 1.5BN people will tune in on July 26th to watch the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, or so reckons the International Olympic Committee. If the real number comes close to that the show would rival the final of the 2022 football World Cup as the most watched sports broadcast ever—although perhaps the comparison is misleading. Modern Olympic opening ceremonies, after all, are more about art than sport.
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