Tradition of 'les trois coups': Why does Guo Jingjing kick off diving competition with three blows by stick?

On August 7 (Hong Kong time), Guo Jingjing, a member of the World Aquatics Diving Technical Committee, attended the Olympic Men's 3m Springboard Semi-Final in Paris and kicked off the competition.

Holding a wooden stick, Guo Jingjing walked to the competition center and slowly struck the ground three times, what kind of "mysterious ceremony" is this?

This unique opening process is derived from the traditional culture of the French theatre, known as "Les trois coups" in French. A wooden stick in the hands of the opener is called a 'brigadier', which is struck three times in a row by the host or performer at the center of the stage to remind the audience that the show is about to begin, so that they can focus their attention and lower the volume in preparation for the performance.

The 2024 Olympic Games extended this ceremony to the competition arena, with many former and current athletes, celebrities and even volunteers invited to perform this historically significant opening ceremony.

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