Image source, Francois-Xavier Marit/AFP
Amazing photos from the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony
- author, George Burke
- role, BBC News
-
The Olympic Games Opening Ceremony offers the host country the opportunity to dazzle the world with a unique and spectacular spectacle.
That’s exactly what happened at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, as organizers forgot the traditional ceremony and made it the first Olympics to hold an opening ceremony throughout the city rather than in a stadium.
On a rainy night, thousands of athletes and performers paraded along the Seine, with the night sky and the Eiffel Tower lit up in dramatic Technicolor, creating an immensely ambitious and unique spectacle.
Below are some of the most eye-catching photos from the night.
Image source, Pawel Kopczynski/Reuters
After a three-month journey from Greece to Paris, the Olympic torch was handed over to former French footballer Zinedine Zidane, and then to tennis stars Rafa Nadal and Serena Williams.
Image source, Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Image source, Evgenia Novozhenina/Reuters
In a spectacular climax, the great French judoka Teddy Riner and sprinter Marie-Josée Perec used the Olympic flame to ignite the cauldron that powered a giant hot air balloon.
Gigantic, illuminated balloons flew over the streets of Paris, signalling the start of the Greatest Show on Earth.
Image source, Marco Jurica/Reuters
Image source, Miguel Torna/EPA
Image source, Jeong Yong-jae/AFP
The opening ceremony began with a spectacular display of colorful smoke resembling the French flag rising over the Pont d’Austerlitz.
Image source, Lars Baron/Getty Images
Fans and spectators were enthusiastic and for the most part unfazed by the rainy weather.
Image source, Tingshu Wang/Reuters
Image source, Steph Chambers/Getty Images
Image source, Oli Scarfe/AFP
French President Emmanuel Macron was watching the games along with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
Image source, Martin Diwiczek/EPA
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was also at the ceremony and appeared to be fully prepared for rain.
Image source, Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters
A range of celebrities were in attendance at the evening, including American singer Ariana Grande and her co-star from British film “Wicked,” Cynthia Erivo.
Image source, Christophe Petit-Tesson/PA Media
As expected, tens of thousands of police officers were deployed across the city to beef up security.
Image source, Frank Fife/AFP
Image source, Teresa Suarez/EPA
During the event, mysterious masked torchbearers ran through the city and did parkour on rooftops along the river.
Image source, Bernat Almanguet/Reuters
Image source, Peter Cibola/Pool/Getty Images
A flotilla of team boats from countries around the world sailed down the Seine, their flags flying proudly.
British diver Tom Daley and rower Helen Glover carried the flag for Team Great Britain.
Image source, Naomi Baker/Reuters
Image source, Amanda Perovelli/Reuters
Image source, Aijaz Rahi/AP
Image source, Michael Reeves/Reuters
Image source, Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters
Image source, Steph Chambers/Getty Images
The event featured all sorts of elaborate performances, from Lady Gaga, cabaret performers, ballet dancers and acrobats to a finale featuring Celine Dion appearing from far away on a stage halfway up the Eiffel Tower.
Image source, Maya Hitidji/Getty Images
Image source, Wang Dongzhen/Getty Images
Image source, Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Image source, Bernat Armange/AP
Image source, Pilar Olivares/Reuters
Image source, Ludovic Marin/AFP
