The Olympic Games were officially opened in spectacular style in Paris as athletes and fans celebrated in the rain.
Wet weather failed to dampen the spectacle as the Paris 2024 organisers overcame the elements to deliver an amazing curtain-raiser.
It was the first Olympic Opening Ceremony to be held outside a stadium as athletes travelled on boats down the River Seine in a unique parade of nations.
Olympic champions Jessica Fox of Australia, Isaquias Guimaraes Queiroz of Brazil, Benjamin Savsek of Slovenia and Spain’s Marcus Cooper were among 12 paddlers that carried their respective nation’s flag.
The other flagbearers were Andorra’s Monica Doria, Austria’s Felix Oschmautz, Portugal’s Fernado Pimenta, Senegal’s Combe Seck, Slovakian duo Jakub Grigar and Zuzana Pankova, Tunisia’s Salim Jemai and Vietnam’s Thi Huong Nguyen.
Thousands of spectators braved the persistent rain to welcome the athletes and enjoy a host of brilliant shows that highlighted France’s history, culture and love of the Games.
There were performances from the likes of Lady Gaga and Celine Dion and appearances from sporting stars including Zinedine Zidane, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams.
Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower provided the perfect backdrop as it sparked with incredible lights show before Marie-Jose Perec and Teddy Riner lit the Olympic Cauldron, attached to a hot-air balloon.
Tony Estanguet, a three-time Olympic champion in Canoe Slalom and former Vice President of the International Canoe Federation, is the President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee.
Estanguet gave a speech at the ceremony where he welcomed athletes to Paris which last staged the Olympics 100 years ago.
“When you’re madly in love with the Games, you feel like you can do anything,” said Estanguet.
“We have been bold, doing things that have never been done before, like having this Opening Ceremony in the city, for the first time in the history of the Olympic Games.”
“Like every host country our ambition has been to help the Games grow stronger.
“And in the end, it is the Games that have helped us to grow.
“The Games have reminded us that in France even if we have a hard time agreeing on things in the moments that count, we can come together and combine all our strengths for a single purpose.
“So, thank you.”
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said: “My heartfelt thanks go to our gracious French hosts. Thank you for welcoming us in such a spectacular way. The Olympic flame will make Paris and all of France shine even brighter.
“We are deeply grateful to all our French friends. First and foremost, to the President of the French Republic.
“All our gratitude also goes to the public authorities at all levels as well as the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, under the excellent leadership of my fellow Olympian, Tony Estanguet.
“You are bringing our Olympic Agenda reforms to life by making these Games wide open.
“All of us will experience Olympic Games that are more inclusive, more urban, younger and more sustainable – the first Olympic Games with full gender parity on the field of play.”
Speaking after the ceremony, ICF President Thomas Konietzko said: “It was a unique Opening Ceremony that will live long in the memory.
“Despite the wet weather, the ceremony was fantastic with incredible performances and an amazing light show.
“It was particularly special to see 12 of our paddlers proudly waving their respective nation’s flag.
“Congratulations to Tony Estanguet and his team.
“We are looking forward to the next 15 days of canoeing competition.”
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