Paris Olympics 2024: 5 things to takeaway after the opening ceremony

An opening ceremony unlike any other kicked off the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on Friday night, and it will undoubtedly live on in Olympic history - but perhaps not in the way that the Paris 2024 organizers had anticipated.

Here are five key takeaways from the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics.

1. Paris City highlighted it's best

Mesdames et messieurs, la C¨¦r¨¦monie d¡¯ouverture de #Paris2024

Ladies and gentlemen, the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony.

? Getty / Lionel Bonaventure pic.twitter.com/God7bQHvNd

¡ª Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) July 26, 2024

The boats floating on the Seine provided breathtaking views of Paris as they passed storied sites on their way to the Trocadero, where the Parade of Nations concluded, with an Olympic-ring-adorned Eiffel Tower acting as the backdrop.

The historic landmark was illuminated in all its brilliance, a true beacon on what could have been a gloomy night.

2. Return of Lady Gaga and Celine Dion

?????????? QUEEN ??????????#CelineDion #Paris2024 #OlympicGames #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/4HOlVOjXCL

¡ª SOCIAL Patico (@NathanDelMare) July 26, 2024

Lady Gaga performs a tribute to the city's cabaret tradition on the riverbank. After four years away from singing, one of the most renowned vocalists of the last few decades returned.

Celine Dion has been battling stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder characterized by spasms, muscle rigidity, and increased sensitivity to stimuli such as sound and light. These spasms can be strong enough to fracture bones, and any fall can result in serious harm, according to specialists.

3. Rain rain go away!

? @CasperRuud98 enjoying #OpeningCeremony life despite the rain ??#Paris2024 | #Olympics | #tennis | @ pic.twitter.com/9o0UvA7lX2

¡ª ITF (@ITFTennis) July 26, 2024

Hundreds of thousands of spectators lined the banks of the River Seine, dressed in ponchos and rain coats, and a canopy of umbrellas appeared at the first sign of rain.

Also read: Paris Olympics 2024: Nita Ambani stuns in gorgeous ivory saree featuring intricate embroidery

At the end of the Parade of Nations, exposed spectators fled to hospitality tents and other nearby covered locations, while cameras captured the occasional thinning of the crowd along the river.

4. Party night in the French Capital

?? | Ni?os bailando junto a degenerados drag queens en los Juegos Ol¨ªmpicos Par¨ªs 2024: cada d¨ªa se apoderan m¨¢s del mundo con su asqueroso accionar y VAN POR TU HIJO. ?Levanta tu voz y defiende a tu familia de esta amenaza! #Paris2024 #CeremoniaDeApertura pic.twitter.com/SE1O3MQozy

¡ª ? El Justiciero (@justicierope) July 27, 2024

Plenty of techno and Europop music, backed by colourful dancers dressed in various rave outfits, including one singer totally painted blue singing on a bed of flowers, turned attention all over the world as the French showcased their party culture.

Also read: Paris Olympics 2024: These are the biggest upsets in Olympics history

Earlier in the ceremony, the first thing that caught people's attention was a performance by heavy metal band Gojira and their aforementioned headless Marie Antoinette.

5. An incredible cauldron lighting

? Quelle image#Paris2024 #ceremoniedouverture #openingceremony #Olympics pic.twitter.com/1Xbok5BXMx

¡ª L'?QUIPE (@lequipe) July 26, 2024

When the final torchbearers, judo champion Teddy Riner and 400-meter sprinter Marie-Jos¨¦ P¨¦rec, lighted the Olympic cauldron, which was tied to a massive balloon, it began to float.

The Olympic flame spent the night lingering over Paris, providing one more opportunity for photographers to capture the breathtaking Parisian landscape.

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