Carter, Ahye serve as TT flag bearers for Paris Olympic opener

Trinidad and Tobago’s Olympic delegation joined over 10,000 other sportsmen and women, and officials, on a historic sail down Paris’ River Seine for the first-ever outdoor hosting of an Olympic opening ceremony.

The ceremony began from Pont d’Austerlitz and saw 94 boats carrying 206 delegations from each participating nation.

They followed a 6 km route through the heart of Paris, passing iconic landmarks like Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Grand Palais and the Invalides before finishing at the Pont d’lena, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

Seasoned women’s sprinter Michelle-Lee Ahye and ace swimmer Dylan Carter, led TT’s 33-member delegation as flag bearers for the opening ceremony.

TT will be represented in three sports: athletics, cycling and swimming. The track and field team is made up of 13 athletes while cycling and swimming have two each.

A statement from the TT Olympic Committee (TTOC) recently said Ahye’s “remarkable journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment and relentless pursuit of excellence.

“She continues to inspire both young and seasoned athletes alike. As a seasoned Olympian, Michelle’s experience and leadership will undoubtedly serve as a beacon of inspiration for our entire delegation.”

As for Carter, the TTOC said, “Dylan’s dedication to his sport and his country has been evident throughout his career, marked by his remarkable performances in the pool. His journey from a promising young swimmer to an Olympian has been nothing short of extraordinary.”

“Dylan’s commitment to excellence and his passion for swimming make him a perfect ambassador for our nation at the 2024 Summer Olympics.”

At the opening ceremony, 80 giant screens were set up on the Seine quayside for some 300,000 spectators. Over a billion people were expected to watch the show on television.