Zeus, the Metal Horse: The Highlight of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony

Published on: October 23, 2024

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On July 26, 2024, the Metal Horse, ZEUS, galloped across the Seine River, instilling the Olympic spirit into over a billion spectators worldwide. A symbol of resilience, peace, solidarity and unity, this “horse” galloping across Paris perfectly embodies the values that have been at the heart of the partnership between Sanofi and Paris 2024 since it was signed in 2021. More than a powerful symbol, the horse is also the result of the know-how and spirit of scientific and artistic innovation of Atelier blam, a French company based in the Nantes region.

Zeus X Sanofi: A Story of Shared Values of Boldness and Excellence

Majestic, dreamlike, and poetic, ZEUS made a lasting impression on the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024: one of a bold cavalier on a mesmerizing mechanical silver horse, galloping over the Seine River for over a dozen minutes while carrying the Olympic Flag to Trocadero. Over its six-kilometer journey, when ZEUS passed under a bridge, dove-like wings rose into the air.

The Metal Horse is a true feat of engineering, at the intersection of art and technology. Beyond its cultural and artistic boldness, ZEUS embodies both the values of excellence and innovation, which are also at the heart of what we do every day at Sanofi in France and around the world to create the medicines of the future for the patients; by innovating on the scientific and industrial grounds through our extensive network of vaccine and medicine factories.

We are proud to be contributing to Paris 2024’s legacy by making this piece of art widely accessible to people and by making it shine well behind the Games.

ZEUS at the Paris City Hall...

Like the Paris 2024 Olympic cauldron displayed at the Tuileries Garden, ZEUS, the Metal Horse, is one of the few centerpiece elements of the opening ceremony accessible to the public, allowing visitors to get a behind-the-scenes look at the world's largest event and better understand the creation of this true engineering marvel.

ZEUS, Metal Horse for the opening ceremony at the Paris City Hall
ZEUS, Metal Horse for the opening ceremony at the Paris City Hall

A first exhibition of the Metal Horse was held at the Paris City Hall during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, creating a direct link between the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 and enabling the general public to come and celebrate a unique, timeless moment of union, celebration and sharing.

...and at the Château de Versailles!

ZEUS is currently being exhibited, from October 1st to November 24th, in the the Château de Versailles, a highly symbolic location, full of history and visited by thousands.

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