It has been three lengthy years, however the pinnacle of sport, the Olympic Video games are lastly again, and Paris has placed on the present of a lifetime, regardless of the British climate making its method over the Channel to bless the ceremony with loads of rain.
For the primary time in historical past, the opening ceremony for the Olympics came about exterior of a stadium, with the River Seine serving as the principle backdrop with athletes happening the river on dozens of boats, whereas interval acts featured loads of the town’s iconic landmarks from Notre Dame, to the sewers and Paris Catacombs and even the Louvre Artwork Museum.
Girl Gaga purchased excessive camp to the Metropolis of Love, whereas a long-awaited efficiency by Celine Dion closed the ceremony, because the Olympic torch was lit and the Eiffel Tower was lit up brightly, shining throughout the town.
See all the most effective moments beneath…
The ceremony started with the athletes’ procession, with competing nations arriving in alphabetical order, based on the French language.
As per customized, Greece led the best way, adopted by the Refugee Group earlier than the remainder of the nations.
Throughout the procession, followers had been handled to a efficiency of Mon Truc en Plume Par, initially by Zizi Jeanmaire, however this time by American-born singer Girl Gaga.
With feathers, dancers wearing black and a slinky black quantity herself, the American-born singer introduced excessive camp and introduced the home down.
Different interval acts included a techno remix of the long-lasting Can Can carried out by dancers from the Moulin Rouge. There was additionally a musical quantity impressed by the sounds of the instruments used to reconstruct the Notre Dame following the horrific fireplace that devastated the landmark again in 2019.
There was additionally a rock efficiency by Gojira, impressed by Les Miserables, and carried out on the balconies of buildings lining the Seine.
One of many extra distinctive moments featured a Parisian runway, eschewing Paris Vogue Week, which confirmed off French trend. Following the Parade of Nations, viewers had been handled to a celebration of Europop classics, highlighting France’s connections to the European Union.
British tennis star Andy Murray was among the many athletes on Britain’s boat, one of many earlier boats to drift down the river, and this would be the closing Olympics for the Scottish-born champion.
At 39, Lakers famous person LeBron James is the oldest participant to compete for Group USA males’s basketball, and it’s thought this can be his final video games: he performed in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020.
Within the gallery was First Girl of the US, Jill Biden, cheering the US workforce on.
The celebrities had been out in drive for the Olympics, with the likes of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo seen in attendance. Cynthia channelled an evil witch along with her inexperienced frock, with Ariana choosing her good counterpart with a child pink outfit.
With the athletes all floating alongside, Tom and Helen could not assist themselves they usually recreated the long-lasting scene from Titanic. With Celine Dion having carried out the movie’s unforgettable major theme, was this a touch to her upcoming efficiency?
The Canadian workforce seemed filled with vitality as they arrived for the Olympics. Amongst their medal hopes are Ethan Katzberg and Camryn Rogers for the hammer throw, Summer season McIntosh for swimming and Andre de Grasse for monitor occasions.
Royals getting moist within the rain
Regardless of the rain, King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima prevented the ponchos as they proudly supported the Dutch Olympic workforce.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain had been a bit extra disturbed by the climate on the opening ceremony, with Letizia seen hiding beneath her poncho.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene did not appear to thoughts the rain, as they laughed whereas getting soaked within the deluge.
A French spectacle
Does it get extra French than this? The boats made their well beyond the Eiffel Tower.
Group Australia seemed extremely vigorous as their boat went up the Seine.
Pouring rain for the royals
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene did not appear to thoughts the rain, as they laughed whereas getting soaked within the deluge.
With a 600-strong workforce and the youngest-ever flag bearer in Olympics historical past, Group USA made fairly the affect after they sailed down the Seine second to final.
France closes it out
The parade of countries ended with France’s workforce crusing down the Seine because the French flag was lit up in a water characteristic.
The Olympic flag was carried in by a masked lady in shining armour.
Mechanical horse
The mechanical horse ridden down the Seine was rode by Floriane Issert, a Gendarmerie non-commissioned officer of the Nationwide Gendarmerie. Jeanne Friot made the cape and hood, Robert Mercier made the armour.
In a shock twist, Rafael later took the Olympic torch from Zidane and joined Serena Williams, Carl Lewis and Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci on a ship as they took it to its closing vacation spot.
French Paralympic Marie-Amelie Le Fur (2nd-L) holds the Olympics torch through the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games
100-year-old torchbearer, former French bicycle owner Charles Coste, Offers the Olympic flame to French former sprinter Marie-Jose Perec (L) and French judoka Teddy Riner (2L)
Celine made a triumphant return, performing a canopy of Edith Piaf’s Hymme A L’Amour on the prime of the Eiffel Tower.
Lights illuminate the Eiffel Tower because the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony involves an in depth on Friday July 26.
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