In a historic twist, the 2024 Paris Olympics will swap stadium seats for Seine River shores as athletes, including flag bearers LeBron James and Coco Gauff, glide through the grand parade by boat.

In a bid to outshine every previous opening ceremony, the 2024 Paris Olympics will make a splash with a nautical parade along the picturesque Seine River. Athletes from 206 nations, led by First Lady Jill Biden and Ambassador Denis Campbell Bauer for Team USA, will float past 220,000 spectators. With a 3.7-mile route and Ralph Lauren-designed outfits, the ceremony promises an aquatically elegant kickoff, setting a new standard for Olympic grandeur.

As the boats set off from the Austerlitz Bridge at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time (or 7:30 p.m. in Paris), the world will witness a spectacle unlike any other. Never before has the opening ceremony of an Olympic Games taken place outside the cloistered confines of a stadium. Instead, the world will tune in to see athletes cruising down a 3.7-mile stretch of one of the world's most romantic rivers, the Seine.

The pageantry will feature 10,500 athletes from all corners of the globe, representing 206 National Olympic Committees. Along the banks, a staggering 220,000 spectators will line the upper tiers of the Seine, while 104,000 more are expected to pack the lower riverside and the Trocadéro plaza. Clearly, the organizers are pulling out all the stops to ensure that this event is nothing short of epic.

Leading the American contingency will be none other than First Lady Jill Biden, alongside the U.S. ambassador to France, Denis Campbell Bauer. They will be flanked by basketball legend LeBron James and tennis prodigy Coco Gauff, who have been honored as the flag bearers for Team USA. Their presence is bound to add an extra layer of star power to an already electrifying event.

NBC will provide wall-to-wall coverage beginning at noon ET, allowing viewers to soak in every boat, blazer, and banner. The network's live broadcast is expected to stretch over four hours, covering every inch of the 3.7-mile aquatic procession.

Speaking of blazers, Team USA will be donning outfits designed by Ralph Lauren that blend classic American style with a pinch of Parisian elegance. Athletes will be outfitted in single-breasted wool blazers, striped oxford shirts, tapered jeans, and classic suede buck shoes. It's safe to say they will be the most stylish sailors—er, athletes—floating down the Seine.

As the boats glide toward the Iena Bridge, the excitement will crescendo until it reaches the Trocadéro, where the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic torch will take place. This symbolic act will herald the official beginning of the Games and undoubtedly send ripples of applause through the throngs of onlookers. Just make sure to bring your shades – the torch and the smiles will both be dazzling!

And let's not overlook the logistics behind such an ambitious endeavor. Coordinating the parade of nations across a river offers its own set of challenges. But if the French are known for anything, it's their flair for making the impossible look delightfully charming.

Expect the unexpected as the Seine becomes the stage for the world's athletes, transforming a simple waterway into a river of dreams. With the Eiffel Tower shimmering in the background and the historic bridges of Paris framing the scene, it’s hard to imagine a more picturesque setting for an Olympic opening ceremony.

For the athletes, the experience of gliding past iconic Parisian landmarks will be a surreal and unforgettable prelude to their competitions. The unique setting promises to deliver not just a feast for the eyes, but a hearty dose of inspiration for the weeks of athleticism to follow.

So, as the world gears up for a month of record-breaking performances and unforgettable moments, it’s worth pausing to appreciate the ingenuity and creativity that's going into the 2024 Paris Olympics. It’s a fresh wave in the sea of tradition, poised to set the bar sky-high for future Games.