THE Olympics kicked off in rain-soaked Paris tonight with a star-studded opening ceremony and stunning boat parade of athletes.
More than a billion people worldwide tuned into the four-hour, £120million extravaganza, which was closed by iconic singer Celine Dion.
And spectators were treated to a raucous party featuring fireworks, dancing and live music from some of the world’s biggest stars, with Lady Gaga wowing the crowd by performing a French cabaret act.
Downpours and an arson attacks on the France’s railways earlier in the day failed to dampen spirits – despite the flag being raised upside down at one stage.
Around 6,800 of the 10,500 Olympians from 205 countries travelled 3.7miles along the River Seine on 85 boats — for the first opening ceremony not held in a stadium.
Thousands of people partied all night after city-wide decree allowed bars to stay open until dawn.
The Olympic flag was carried to the Jardins du Trocadéro Stadium along the river by a hooded robotic horse and rider.
It was then carried through cheering crowds as a choir sang the Olympic anthem.
Soldiers hoisted the flag in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower and French football legend Zinedine Zidane walked on stage to carry the torch through the stadium.
He handed it to Rafa Nadal who boarded a boat with fellow tennis legend Serena Williams to take the torch along the river.
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French tennis ace Amélie Mauresmo jogged from the boat with the flag, crowds cheering as she passed the Louvre.
Charles Coste, France’s oldest living Olympic medallist, then carried the torch before a balloon rose with it into the Parisian night sky.
As it went up, French-Canadian singer Celine Dion sang Edith Piaf’s L’Hymne A L’Amour from the Eiffel Tower in a sparkly dress.
With the tower lit up in the background, the 2024 Paris Olympics was officially declared open.
Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, gave a speech thanking the people of Paris for hosting a more “inclusive and sustainable” Games.
The parade was launched by fireworks and smoke lighting up Pont d’Austerlitz in the French flag’s red, white and blue.
Boats passed the islands of Île Saint-Louis and Île de la Cité — home to fire-ravaged Notre Dame.
As per Olympic tradition Greece was at the front of the flotilla.
The refugee team came next to loud cheers, with the rest of the boats in alphabetical order except for hosts France at the rear.
The Team GB contingent consisted of 39 athletes wearing Ben Sherman-designed bomber jackets.
Diver Tom Daley and rower Helen Glover were flagbearers, with retiring tennis hero Andy Murray also aboard. The rest of the 327-strong Team GB were back at base preparing for their events.
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY...
Paris 2024 Olympics – Opening Ceremony
Only one show in town today.. just about!
The historic Opening Ceremony which is taking place on the River Seine rather than a stadium ends proceedings on Friday evening.
While there has been football and rugby sevens among events which started before the ceremony this week, they will not be taking place on the day of the big bash.
Only shooting pre-event training will take place on the day of the Opening Ceremony.
Click here for all the events taking place at Paris 2024 today.
Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.
The boat parade was split up with entertainment, with Lady Gaga providing some music as she sang in French.
The American songstress received a rapturous round of applause with a sultry cabaret ensemble as she cavorted with dancers while wearing a sleek black dress complete with fluffy pink scarf.
But Gaga’s set was hit by a major tech blunder that left fans at home gasping.
Performers then decided to spice things up with a raunchy rendition of the famous French Can-Can dance.
At the Conciergerie, a former palace and prison, “guillotined” performers sang alongside French metal band Gojira before red streamers poured from the turrets.
The centre of Paris was turned into a giant open-air theatre with 2,000 performers thrilling crowds.
The flotilla finished next to the Trocadéro and Eiffel Tower. Athletes disembarked at Champions Park, where gold medal winners will be honoured.
Fans were left enthralled as their nation’s boat went past, with ex-Liverpool star Naby Keita waving the flag for Guinea and Shane Lowry doing the same for Ireland.
There was more glitz and glamour with French musical artists showing off their talents.
While some displayed their skills on BMX bikes, and others put on a fashion show.
But there was no escape from the rain, which poured down early on and left fans scrambling for their waterproofs.
It even caused a technical glitch with a big screen cutting out behind one stand.
A 75,000-strong force of cops and soldiers were deployed amid a £120million security operation.
A sodden PM Sir Keir Starmer was among a hundred world leaders – seemingly the only one NOT wearing a see-through rain-proof poncho.
He said: “The whole country is rooting for our excellent Team GB athletes and staff who have made it to these Olympics after years of hard work and dedication.”
The ceremony consisted of 12 set pieces each with its own theme to celebrate French history, art and sport. Three performances were based around the national motto Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.
Towards the end of the ceremony a 23ft ring of flames was lit on the Olympic Cauldron, sited in the Gardens of the Tuileries.
It was topped by a hot-air balloon, a tribute to the first flight made by two French inventors.
A laser show from the Eiffel tower then lit up the sky.
President Emmanuel Macron described the event as an “unprecedented spectacle”.
Tony Estanguet, chief of the £4billion games, said: “We have dreamed of, prepared and perfected this ceremony at the heart of the most beautiful city in the world.”
Athletes will compete in 329 medal events across 16 days.
Before things kicked off, top names from the world of sport and entertainment gathered in Paris.
Team GB icons Rebecca Adlington and Sir Chris Hoy were joined by US legend Michael Johnson outside the Eiffel Tower.
While there were appearances from pop stars including Ariana Grande, Pharell Williams and John Legend.
And German tennis legend Boris Becker was in tow as well.
