![Paris Olympics director defends David Guetta snub after DJ complains](https://www.americanmarconiwirelessnews.com/media/shared/articles/b8/b0/09/Paris-Olympics-director-defends-Dav-120777.jpg)
-
Pogacar lashes out at 'scared' Vingegaard tactics at Tour de France
-
Hamas signals shift on key Gaza truce demand
-
Tourists are latest conquest of Viking fortress in Denmark
-
Hundreds gather for memorial concert after deadly Kenya protests
-
Mahuchikh, Kipyegon set world records, but Mayer falls
-
Kipyegon ready for Olympic double after improving 1500m world record
-
Napoleon's pistols sold in France for 1.7 mn euros: auctioneers
-
Frenchman Turgis wins stage as Pogacar keeps Tour de France lead
-
Alcaraz struggles into Wimbledon last-eight as tearful Keys quits
-
Hamilton wins British Grand Prix to end three-year drought
-
French voters turn out en masse as far right eyes huge gains
-
Mahuchikh sets new world high jump record for perfect Olympic boost
-
Alcaraz overcomes slump to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals
-
Ukraine's Mahuchikh sets new world women's high jump record
-
Israeli protesters step up push for Gaza truce deal
-
Bangladeshi protesters demand end to civil service job quotas
-
Abhishek century guides India to T20 victory against Zimbabwe
-
Tearful Keys forced to retire from Paolini clash at Wimbledon
-
Deadly Gaza fighting, Hezbollah rockets as war enters 10th month
-
Junta states' exit hangs over West African summit
-
Broad hails 'bowling addict' Anderson ahead of final Test
-
Bagnaia capitalises on Martin crash in Germany to take championship lead
-
Biden back on campaign trail as pressure mounts
-
Starmer seeks 'reset' with UK nations after election victory
-
New head coach Gillespie vows consistency in Pakistan Test side
-
French decathlete Mayer in Olympics scare three weeks before Games
-
Final Tour of Austria stage cancelled after rider death
-
Bagnaia capitalises on late Martin crash in Germany
-
Euro 2024 awaits heavyweight semi-final clashes
-
Tokyo governor Koike wins third term: media
-
Erdogan says may invite Syria's Assad to Turkey 'at any moment'
-
England turnaround penalty torment to reach Euros semis
-
Unity key to stopping Mbappe at Euros: Spain's Cucurella
-
Six hurt in Spanish bull running
-
French voters turn out in number, as far right eyes power
-
Weghorst emerges as Dutch wildcard ahead of Euros semi
-
England prop Marler ruled out of second All Blacks Test
-
Deadly Gaza battles, Hezbollah rockets as war enters 10th month
-
France votes as far right eyes power
-
New-look Springboks get mixed reviews after Ireland win
-
'Not the end of the world', says data scientist on the big issues
-
France votes in final round of 'seismic' election
-
Junta leaders' meeting overshadows West African summit
-
Stevenson out-points Harutyunyan to retain WBC lightweight crown
-
Deadly strikes hit Gaza as war enters tenth month
-
Uruguay beat Brazil on penalties to reach Copa America semi-finals
-
Under-pressure Gatland says Wales must learn to 'arm-wrestle'
-
Women fight Tokyo election in male-dominated Japan
-
From Cold War to the Ukraine war: NATO at 75
-
NATO is spending more on defence, but it's likely not enough
![Paris Olympics director defends David Guetta snub after DJ complains](https://www.americanmarconiwirelessnews.com/media/shared/articles/b8/b0/09/Paris-Olympics-director-defends-Dav-120777.jpg)
Paris Olympics director defends David Guetta snub after DJ complains
How many albums you have sold is not the basis for getting a slot at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
That was the blunt message on Thursday from Thomas Jolly, artistic director for the Paris Games, after superstar DJ David Guetta expressed his shock over not receiving a call.
Guetta seemed upset when asked at the weekend by AFP why he was not performing at the opening ceremony on July 26.
"If you have the answer, please tell me, because I don't understand at all," he said before a gig at the Chateau de Chambord in the Loire Valley.
"I am still between the fourth and 15th most listened to artist in the world," he said.
"Artist -- not DJ," he emphasised.
"To give you an idea -- for example, Beyonce, is around 40th to 50th -- and yet no one called me."
Such figures vary widely across platforms, though Guetta was 10th and Beyonce 28th on Spotify as of Thursday.
In any case, Jolly responded that popularity was not the criteria he was interested in for his ceremonies which will open and close the Paris Olympics.
"We don't base artistic direction simply on the number of album sales," Jolly told reporters.
"I have nothing against David Guetta or against anyone. I am not here to give my tastes. And David Guetta, quite simply, what he does as art does not relate to what we want to do."
The performers for the opening ceremony remain a tightly guarded secret.
It seems almost certain that RnB star Aya Nakamura will take part, not least because rumours of her performing triggered a racist backlash earlier in the year that has added to pressure on the organisers to include her.
One French newspaper, the Canard Enchaine, said Celine Dion may be involved, though she has suffered severe health issues in recent years that could prevent her appearing.
It is said only around 10 people know exactly how the entire show will unfurl.
It is the first time an Olympics opening ceremony will be held outside a stadium -- taking over six kilometres (3.7 miles) of the River Seine with some 3,000 dancers, musicians, actors and circus performers performing along the banks and bridges with an estimated 326,000 spectators.
Thousands of athletes -- out of a total of 10,500 competitors -- will sail down the river on 85 boats.
It is hoped more than a billion viewers will follow the broadcast around the world.
The soundtrack is expected to combine "French Touch" electro, pop, symphony orchestra and choirs, overseen by musical director Victor Le Masne.
Jolly said it would be wide-ranging and that French music was as much opera singer Natalie Dessay as rapper Jul and icon Edith Piaf.
O.Norris--AMWN