A fleet of barges took the competitors on a 6km-stretch of the river alongside some of the French capital's most famous landmarks, as performers recreated some of the sports to be showcased in the Games on floating platforms.
Athletes of South Arica aboard a boat in the floating parade on the river Seine during the opening ceremony. (Angelika Warmuth/Reuters)
The Paris Olympics 2024 has been officially launched with a unique opening ceremony.
A fleet of barges took the competitors on a 6km-stretch of the river alongside some of the French capital's most famous landmarks, as performers recreated some of the sports to be showcased in the Games on floating platforms.
It is the first time that an opening ceremony has taken place outside a stadium, adding to the headaches for a vast security operation, just hours after a sabotage attack on the high-speed TGV rail network caused travel chaos across France.
A giant plume of blue, white and red smoke, resembling the French flag, was sent high above a bridge over the Seine and a winged man played accordion, as part of a show that included many postcard-like depictions of France, including a huge cancan line performed by Moulin Rouge dancers on the banks.
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Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Maddie Meyer/Reuters)
The Horsewoman crosses the Iena Bridge to the Place du Trocadero, as Flags of Competing Nations are presented during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images))
Athletes of Iraq aboard a boat in the floating parade on the river Seine during the opening ceremony. (Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters)
Aircraft of the Patrouille de France are seen flying over Paris during the opening ceremony. (Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)
Spectators look out from apartments to watch the floating parade on the river Seine during the opening ceremony. (Ann Wang/Reuters)
Actors perform during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. (Wang Dongzhen/REUTERS)
Locals perform during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Teahupo'o, French Polynesia. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Dancers perform on a rooftop during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. (Dan Mullan/Reuters)
Athletes of Portugal aboard a boat in the floating parade on the river Seine during the opening ceremony. (Ann Wang/REUTERS)
French heavy metal band Gojira performs during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Former French tennis player Jo-Wilfried Tsonga looks on on the day of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. (Pascal Le Segretain/Reuters)
A photograph taken from an helicopter shows an aerial view of The Louis Vuitton building and the Pont Neuf bridge during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. (LIONEL BONAVENTURE/REUTERS)
A worker is seen clearing water off a floating platform on the river Seine during the opening ceremony. (Stefan Wermuth/Reuters)
Spectators with flags of China and France look out from apartments to watch the floating parade on the river Seine during the opening ceremony. (Nir Elias/Reuters)
A light show takes place on the Eiffel Tower, during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (George Mattock/Getty Images)
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Spectators look on during Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)
PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: \\the River Seine during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Delegates wear rain ponchos in the stands during the opening ceremony. (Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)
The Olympic Flag is presented by the The Horsewoman at Place du Trocadero during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
A general view of the city of Paris as a athlete boat parades along the River Seine during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
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