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Fifty-five triathletes are set to plunge into the Seine on Tuesday, marking a historic moment for the Olympics. At 8 a.m. (0600 GMT), the athletes will dive into the river from a floating pontoon next to the Pont Alexandre III, eager to make a splash in more ways than one. This is the first time since 1900 that the Olympics has seen competitors racing in the river. The women’s individual race is all set for Wednesday at the same early morning time of 8 a.m., with athletes raring to go. Organizers have wisely kept Aug. 2 as a backup day for the individual races and Aug. 6 for the mixed relay, just in case the water quality doesn’t improve in time. It’s a sensible precaution to ensure the smooth running of the events. “Team Bermuda coach Dan Hugo, husband of Tokyo gold medalist Flora Duffy, expressed confidence in the organizers’ plans, saying, “They still seem really hopeful for men tomorrow and women Wednesday. But if needed, one or both will get moved to Friday.” The Alexa...

The numbers only partially convey the massive effort to safeguard the river parade on the Seine, a groundbreaking departure from traditional stadium openings for the Summer Olympics. France is deploying approximately 45,000 police and paramilitary officers, supplemented by 10,000 soldiers and 20,000 private security guards, to ensure the event’s security. This operation focuses on an extensive area along the Seine, spanning over six kilometers (four miles), which will host 300,000 ticketed spectators. Additionally, the area will be bustling with hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists occupying the overlooking buildings. As a precautionary measure, a no-fly zone with a radius of 150 kilometers will be imposed over Paris an hour before the ceremony commences at 7:30 pm (1730 GMT). This will lead to the grounding or diversion of flights at one of Europe’s busiest aviation hubs. On Wednesday, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin described the opening ceremony to BFM television as “t...

The exhibition, *Untamed Souls*, presents a captivating contrast of artistic practices, exploring the physical, historical, and cultural dimensions of their craft. At the heart of the gallery lies a dramatic tableau—a banquet of symbols set for six. These cups, bowls, and platters form part of a larger series, *Wandering Souls – Lost Spirits*, comprising 54 place settings crafted between 2017 and 2023. Each setting represents one of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam, offering a unique perspective on the country’s diverse cultural tapestry. Artist Manh, born in 1984 in Vinh Phuc Province, is a member of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association. His generous and intimate invitation to share this meal encourages spectators to engage in a ritualistic experience. Earlier in 2024, a portion of this series was exhibited in Hanoi. Manh, who currently lives and works in the city, has worked with various media since 2006, including paint, fibers, objects, and ceramics. Tung, a graduate of the HCM Fin...