Samsung Brings Fans Closer to Athletes than Ever for Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony

Who said an Olympic Opening Ceremony has to happen in a stadium? In a night of firsts, the Olympic Games Paris 2024 officially kicked-off with a historic ceremony on the Seine River — and Samsung was in the midst of the groundbreaking innovation that made it so special.

To bring fans closer to the action than ever before, Samsung installed more than 200 Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphones on the 85 boats taking part in the Opening Ceremony as they floated down the river to stream the Opening Ceremony through a private 5G network. Fans tuning into the broadcast were given a fresh, closer view of what was already a unique celebration of the Olympic spirit and its host city Paris, as if they were right there with their favorite athletes.

Athletes of Team Japan pose for a selfie on a boat prior to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

They also got to experience the Opening Ceremony through athletes’ eyes, as athletes shared their own POV of this groundbreaking ceremony with their Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition. Memories they will no doubt cherish forever.

The event was the first Olympic Opening Ceremony to take place outside of a stadium and the first to take place on a river. As a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, Samsung worked with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) to create a night with meaning and excitement for both the athletes and fans.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra placed on the bow of the Team Romania boat during the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony. Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images for IOC.

This new view of the Olympic Opening Ceremony is just one of many technological firsts for Paris 2024 powered by Samsung. The Olympic Games’ Sailing competition in Marseille and victory selfies will also see our innovation bring fans closer to the Paris 2024 action.

Making these three moments possible has been an incredible feat, requiring a team of more than 100 experts, 250 phones, over 360 days of testing to help deliver a seamless experience for fans.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra placed on boat to offer a unique view of the Opening Ceremony. Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images.

The Olympic Opening Ceremony required extensive planning in close collaboration with our partners, as the real-time combination of multiple footage streams and unpredictable connectivity, needed support from custom built software, technology and applications.

This effort to enhance the viewing experience for fans around the world was all part of a shared vision to deliver on the promise of these ‘Games Wide Open’. Samsung set out to open up Paris 2024 and this global celebration of sport through its mobile innovation, while also inspiring athletes and fans to keep an open mind and help move the Olympic Games, and the world, forward because ‘Open always wins.’

Team Korea athletes share their experience with fans with their new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images for IOC)

Team Refugee athletes share their experience with fans with their new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition. Photo by Hanna Lassen/Getty Images for IOC.

Team Australia athlete shares a selfie with fans with the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition. Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images for IOC.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphones placed on boat to offer a unique view of the Opening Ceremony. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Image.

Team Guatemala athlete shares lifelong memory with fans with his new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition. Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images for IOC.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra placed on the bow of the Team Senegal boat during the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony. Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images for IOC.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra placed on the bow of the Team GB boat during the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony. Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images.