French judoka Teddy Riner, right, and former French track star Marie-José Pérec watch the Olympic cauldron rise in a hot-air balloon after they lit it at the end of the opening ceremony in Paris on Friday, July 26. The first hot-air balloon flight was performed in France in 1783. Updated 6:26 PM EDT, Fri July 26, 2024 For the first time in the history of the Summer Olympics, the opening ceremony took place outside of a stadium.Athletes paraded down the Seine River on boats, passing some of Paris’ most iconic landmarks. Thousands of people watched from stands lining the river. There were also big screens set up across the city to allow as many fans as possible to watch the event.The six-kilometer (roughly 3.7-mile) route ended in front of the famous Trocadéro, opposite the Eiffel Tower.The ceremony closed with Celine Dion singing Edith Piaf’s “Hymne À L’Amour" from the first level of the Eiffel Tower. The lit Olympic cauldron can be seen in the air through the Arc de Triomphe du Carrous...
