Paris Olympics 2024: A world-first Opening Ceremony brings sporting icons together at the cauldron
![Jessica Fox and Eddie Ockenden, Flagbearers of Team Australia.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15493769/d639802ce36c6334a6563b18b05338f00d8170f8-16x9-x0y318w5064h2849.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
The pouring rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the French faithful as Paris pulled off a scintillating Opening Ceremony that marked the first of its kind.
Vessels filled to the brim with passionate athletes from around the world, some sharing vessels, made the journey through the River Seine.
The Australia boat which featured a strong contingent of its participating athletes was led by flag bearers Jessica Fox and Eddie Ockenden.
During the novelty pieces that featured throughout the parade, the most decorated Olympian of all time Michael Phelps delivered the Olympic medals in enormous Louis Vuitton suitcases with the most successful French Olympian in history, Martin Fourcade.
Lady Gaga appeared in a brief cameo with a performance on some steps with a variety of dancers and a grand piano.
The haunting sight of the masked torch bearer was seen throughout the ceremony, jumping between roofs and various locations scattered around the city popping up in new locations frequently.
The famous Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece the Mona Lisa was seemingly lost momentarily before a pack of crafty minions put their heads together to retrieve the missing painting which then floated the Seine to the tune of the French national anthem.
![PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: A photograph taken from an helicopter on July 26, 2024 shows an aerial view of the Place de la Concorde with its Olympic venue during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. (Photo by Lionel Bonaventure - Pool/Getty Images)](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15493769/46238c6f1dc5b868b3e4062a22e0761f6467bee1.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
Team USA cruised on by with the biggest contingent at the Games with NBA superstar LeBron James and tennis ace Coco Gauff holding the stars and stripes aloft.
Hearts were in mouths as tightrope walker Nathan Payulin pulled off a miraculous death-defying stunt by walking a rope over the athletes’ parade on the River Seine near the Supreme Court.
Once countries were safely transported onto dry land after a 6km journey from Jardin des Plantes to the esplanade across from the Eiffel Tower, the presentations began.
![PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: Jessica Fox and Eddie Ockenden, Flagbearers of Team Australia, wave the flag on the athletes' parade team boat along the River Seine during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15493769/d639802ce36c6334a6563b18b05338f00d8170f8.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
![CORRECTED VERSION PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: Team Netherlands cruise along the River Seine during the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15493769/d56ef6f93a7e3dfbdb22014a18e9f43385e2bddc.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
A silver knight appeared on horseback making its way through a guard of honour constructed by all the participating countries’ flags beneath the Eiffel Tower.
The silver torchbearer would then transport the Olympic flag to the Olympic committee before the 50-strong choir sang out the Olympic anthem.
The ceremony organisers had been incredibly quiet about who would ceremonially light the Olympic cauldron, and when French soccer legend Zinedine Zidane strolled out and collected the torch, he looked destined for the job.
![PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: Former footballer Zinedine Zidane carries the torch during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15493769/7c1f907c39352e2d3beaaf2399c632f0d1548917.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
![PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: 14-time French Open winner Rafael Nadal of Team Spain holds the torch during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15493769/ede9bf89c665045893486bc1ad2569f97a497d11.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
However, his turn with the flame was short-lived when he passed it to the nation’s adopted king, Rafael Nadal — the king of clay.
Nadal has won a record 14 Roland Garros grand slams in his career, and this will be his last Olympic Games appearance at the same venue.
He then fittingly voyaged on a lengthy boat ride, as had been the flavour of the evening, with fellow tennis star Serena Williams and track and field legend Carl Lewis as they shared responsibilities of the torch.
![PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: Former gymnast Nadia Comaneci and former tennis player Serena Williams and former track and field athlete Carl Lewis interact as Tennis Player Rafael Nadal of Team Spain, 14 Time French Open Winner, carries the torch on a boat on the River Seine during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15493769/f1076312c345fad8848601e4607c4d6e1c3b7289.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
Tennis superstar turned marathon runner Amélie Simone Mauresmo then took the torch off the sailing trio and ran to the next destination passing the torch to four-time French NBA champion Tony Parker.
After being passed through a bevy of French Olympic heroes,three-time Marie-Jose Perec and dual judo gold medallist Teddy Riner eventually ceremonially lit the cauldron which was sent high into the sky by a hot air balloon.
As the balloon ascended so did the sound from Celine Dion’s voice which gave a powerful rendition of Edith Piaf’s Hymne A L’Amour.
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