WET THE GAMES BEGIN!
Drenched Team GB float down Seine in chaotic rain-soaked Paris 2024 opening ceremony as Celine Dion wows on Eiffel Tower
Some big celebs were in tow as Games kicked off in style
THE Olympics kicked off in rain-soaked Paris last night 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.
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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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Seven bizarre moments you might have missed from the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony
PARIS 2024's epic four-hour long Opening Ceremony provided some spectacular, X-rated... and downright bizarre moments.
Here are some of SunSport's highlights.
Lady Gaga wowed the crowd by the River Seine as sang a cabaret set... in FRENCH.
But it didn't go to plan for one poor dancer who FELL OFF the stage.
Fans watching on TV were left in stitches by some of the dad dancing on show.
And one dancer gave a BILLION fans viewing worldwide far more than they bargained for with an Inbetweeners-style X-rated wardrobe mishap.
In the UK, BBC viewers were all switching over to Eurosport when they found out who was hosting.
Fans were stunned to see a forgotten Premier League winner as his nation's flag-bearer on the Seine procession.
While some viewers were worried Serena Williams was going to THROW UP during a very choppy boat ride with the Olympic torch.
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.
Most influential GB Olympians
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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's happening today at The Games?
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY...
THE PARIS 2024 Olympics started with a stunning Opening Ceremony - and now the Games really do begin.
SunSport brings you all the action taking place in the French capital on a thrilling first full day.
Josh Tarling and Anna Henderson are both in road cycling time trial action along the streets of Paris (from 1.30pm), leading today's Brit medal hopes.
Michael Bargeron and Seonaid McIntosh team up in the 10m mixed shooting trying to win the first gold of the 2024 Games (10am).
In diving, 3m synchro pair Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen could medal (10am).
And Team GB expect a medal from their swimmers in both of the 4x100m freestyle relays (8.30pm).
While three-time Olympic gold medallist Adam Peaty begins his quest for 100m breaststroke glory (heat 10.30am, semi-final 8.15pm).
And Max Whitlock is eyeing a pommel horse medal for a fourth Games in a row as gymnastics qualifying gets underway (10am).
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.
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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.
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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.
But the undoubted star of the show was legendary French-Canadian songstress Dion, returning to the stage for the first time since revealing a serious health condition.
The 56-year-old superstar had been rumoured to be singing a duet with Lady Gaga.
But Dion instead wowed as she closed the epic show from a stage halfway up the illuminated Eiffel Tower.
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It was Dion's first live performance for four years, during which time she revealed a diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), which had affected her voice.
But Dion showed she is getting back to her distinctive, powerful best with an awe-inspiring performance from beneath the Olympic rings.
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