I do wonder what the french press will make of it tomorrow.
The flag is a major embarrassment in terms of hosting. It's one of those things that just shouldn't happen in the ceremony - it's up there with the torch going out or the cauldron failing to ignite. This is why you have it in a stadium and do lots of rehearsals.
Because of the venue they didn't do those rehearsals (noting here that there was a rehearsal for the Queen's funeral at 4am - so was it blind faith or arrogance?). So I don't think the timings on things were thought about as much as they should. Having said that I suspect from having watched French TV, cultural they are used to watching hours of filler and accept it and it's perhaps our culturally shorter attention span that's part of the problem (hence my curiosity over the reception from the French press).
For me, I find the choice of so many non french figures curious. Why? Do I think that will go down well in France? Or is it just more important to show the world the widespread nature of french language heritage. This still doesn't explain Carl Lewis, Serena Williams and co on the boat. Why were so many french overlooked? Or did they just refuse to do it. Or did they think they were unsuitable because french artists and athletes aren't known outside France (no other country who have hosted would give a shit about the rest of the world not knowing their hero). I am not convinced those decisions will go down well with a french audience.