A video claiming to show the Olympic torch being lit at a Paris church went viral on social media this week, sparking excitement ahead of the Paris Olympics. The clip, shared by business leader Harsh Goenka, appeared to depict the ceremonial lighting within a church setting. However, the video is actually from a ceremony in Italy, specifically ‘The Explosion of the Car’ and the ‘Flight of the Dove’ ceremonies.
Despite the misrepresented video, the actual opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics took place on Friday afternoon with an impressive spectacle on the River Seine. Around 7,000 competitors paraded along the river, passing by iconic Parisian landmarks. For the first time in Olympic history, the opening ceremony was held outside the main stadium, with an estimated 300,000 spectators watching from specially constructed stands on the riverbanks. Another 200,000 viewers are believed to have enjoyed the ceremony from overlooking balconies and apartments.
The viral video serves as a reminder to critically evaluate information shared online, particularly when it comes to events of significant public interest.