The 2024 Paris Olympic Games are officially underway after the opening ceremony provided a magnificent show for viewers across the globe.
Starting at 7:00pm and ending at nearly 11:00pm, there was plenty to keep you entertained starting with 85 boats carrying each nation’s flagbearers sailing down the River Seine.
They were followed by the Olympic torch, which was on course for the famous cauldron that sat near the iconic Eiffel Tower.
France had everything – and I mean everything – when it came to the ceremony.
Plenty of fireworks and performances were carried out throughout the evening, alongside special stars who took to the stage, including Lady Gaga, Les Miserables and Celine Dion.
Spectators flocked in their thousands for the event and everyone got a glimpse of something during the night, whether it was a famous face or a special sighting of the torch.
Zinedine Zidane and Snoop Dogg starred in a video that showed him darting through the streets of Paris with the torch, which eventually found its way to the trio of Teddy Riner and Marie-Jose Perec to light the Olympic flame.
It may have poured down with rain, but that would not dampen the spirits of the athletes squeezed onto the boats representing their nations.
Here comes @TeamGB – how many medals will be brought home to the UK? #Olympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/oF5BY3zHD4
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 26, 2024
Andy Murray, Tom Daley and Helen Glover were all present for Team GB alongside many other performers.
At the end of the boat parade, French President Emmanuel Macron got to his feet alongside the others sitting in the Trocadero as the national anthem was played.
The young folk watching were given the courtesy of watching a special performance from the Minions before a quick break took place for everyone to take a breath.
As darkness fell, the Eiffel Tower was lit to a massive shower of cheers as it showcased the Olympic rings hung towards the base.
📰 Table Of Contents
Welcome to Paris
Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet gave a speech to the Olympians who had travelled the globe to take part in the summer’s games before the ceremony began to close.
He said: “This evening, we can all be proud of what we have already achieved together. And of course, I would like to thank you, the athletes.
“What a sight it is to see you all parading together. What a rare and precious moment you have given us.
“And even though the Games cannot solve every problem, even though discrimination and conflicts are not about to disappear, tonight you have reminded us how beautiful humanity is when we come together.
“And when you return to the Olympic Village, you will be sending a message of hope to the whole world: that there is a place where people of every nationality, every culture and every religion can live together. You’ll be reminding us of what’s possible.
“For the next 16 days, you will be the best version of humanity. You’ll remind us that the emotions of sport form a universal language that we all share. Until the 11th of August, we’ll be by your side.
“Your defeats will be our defeats. Your victories will be our victories. Your emotions will be our emotions.”
Lighting the Olympic Cauldron
After that, it was time for the main event.
Zidane returned to collect the Olympic torch and handed it to none other than the King of Clay himself, Rafael Nadal.
Two sporting icons 🤩
The Olympic torch begins its final journey 🔥#Olympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/N3LDq7bPss
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 26, 2024
The Spaniard disappeared into the darkness, only for the torch to emerge in the hands of Amelie Mauresmo, who won Silver in tennis at Athens in 2004.
She gave it to NBA star Tony Parker, who passed it to Marie-Amelie Le Fur, President of the French Paralympic Committee and the last notable face before it began being handed from person to person along the route.
Riner and Perec had the honour of lighting the actual cauldron, which was attached to a hot air balloon that launched into the sky as the flames rose into the Parisian night.
Celine Dion very quickly burst into song on the Eiffel Tower itself, signing Hymne A L’Amour as the cauldron rose into the night, and the ceremony finally came to an end.
The Olympic cauldron is lit 🔥#Olympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/Et7V2G1N4V
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 26, 2024
