Set against the rainy backdrop of iconic French landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Seine River, thousands of athletes poured into the nation’s capital to compete for their chance at Olympic gold.
The day included musical performances, starting with Lady Gaga, who performed a cabaret-style performance, including massive pink feathers and a brief piano number.
Later, French stars Aya Nakamura and Rim’K performed.
The musical performances continued with a moving performance of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” rendered by pianist Sofiane Pamart and singer Juliette Armanet.
The Olympic rings were displayed on the Eiffel Tower as a light show illuminated the Paris sky.
French leaders, including the nation’s President Emmanuel Macron, officially launched the ceremony.
And for the prestigious honor of passing the Olympic torch, France broke tradition, allowing French soccer legend Zinedine Zidane to pass the torch to Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal—a symbol of France’s dedication to using the Olympic games to unite the world.
Later, Nadal left the temporary stadium by boat, where he was joined by Olympic legends Serena Williams and Carl Lewis of the United States, and Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci.
Kirby Lee
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USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
A general view inside an apartment as Parisians wait for Opening Ceremony festivities to reach them for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games.
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Athlete boats travel along the River Seine as spectators shelter from the rain during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26.
Rebecca Blackwell
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AP
Security patrol by boat in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26.
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Tightrope walker Nathan Paulin performs on a high rope during the athletes parade on the River Seine near the Supreme Court during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France.
Bernat Armangue
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AP Pool
Smoke billows near windows as performers participate during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26.
Wang Dongzhen
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Actors perform during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26.
Lionel Bonaventure
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In this aerial view taken from helicopter shows Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral as delegations boats navigate on the Seine past the Ile de la Cite Island during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26.
Aurelien Morissard
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AP
Snoop Dogg carries the Olympic torch at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, France.
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Team Marshall Islands are seen on a boat on the River Seine during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26.
Violeta Santos Moura
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Pool via Reuters
Athletes of Team Spain holding Spanish flags on their delegation boat during the opening ceremony.
Alex Broadway
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A spectator gestures as the Olympic rings are seen dyed into their hair prior to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26.
Naomi Baker
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Spectators cheer as Athletes of Team Great Britain pass under a bridge during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26.
Richard Callis
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Sports Press Photo via Reuters
Artists performing during the Opening Ceremony of the XXXIII Olympic Games, Paris 2024 by the River Seine in Paris, France.
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Italy athletes aboard a boat in the floating parade on the river Seine during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26.
Oli Scarff
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AFP via Getty Images
TOPSHOT - The horsewoman walks with the Olympic flag past athletes at the Trocadero during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Stephanie Lecocq
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Pool via REUTERS
General view as flags of participating countries are carried during the opening ceremony.
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A worker sweeps rain water at the Trocadero during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26.
Edgar Su
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Reuters
Athletes of Canada wave their flags after arriving at the Trocadero during the opening ceremony.
Paul Childs
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Reuters
Rafael Nadal holds the Olympic torch alongside Serena Williams on a boat on the river Seine ahead of lighting the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony.
Dolores Ochoa
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AP
The cauldron is lit by torch bearers Marie-Jose Perec and Teddy Riner in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26.
Maxim Thore
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Reuters
Athletes of France during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26.
