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In pictures: The spectacular Paris Olympics opening ceremony

3 minutes ago

Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, Moulin Rouge can-can dancers, an aircraft flyover, a heavy metal band, and athletes on boats parading up the river have delighted crowds.

Overview of the Trocadero venue, with the Eiffel Tower looming in the background 
and lasers lighting up the sky, during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, 2024 (Photo by François-Xavier MARIT / AFP)

Overview of the Trocadero venue, with the Eiffel Tower looming in the background and lasers lighting up the sky, during the opening ceremony. Photo: FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP

Singer Celine Dion performs at the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics.

Singer Celine Dion performs at the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics. Photo: X / The Olympic Games

Lights illuminate the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Loic VENANCE / POOL / AFP)

Lights illuminate the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony. Photo: LOIC VENANCE/AFP

Paris 2024 Olympics - Opening Ceremony - Paris, France - July 26, 2024. A general view shows a balloon holding the Olympic cauldron after it was lit during the opening ceremony. (Photo by Peter Cziborra / POOL / AFP)

A balloon holding the Olympic cauldron after it was lit during the opening ceremony. Photo: PETER CZIBORRA/AFP

Torchbearer French former basketball player Tony Parker holds the Olympic flame next to French former tennis player Amelie Mauresmo during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024, as the Louvre Museum is seen in the background. (Photo by Olivier MORIN / AFP)

Torchbearer French former basketball player Tony Parker holds the Olympic flame next to French former tennis player Amelie Mauresmo during the opening ceremony Photo: OLIVIER MORIN/AFP

US' singer Lady Gaga sings a song at the Sully bridge area before the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP)

Singer Lady Gaga sings a song at the Sully bridge area. Photo: ARIS MESSINIS

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: Jo Aleh and Aaron Murray Gate, Flagbearers of Team New Zealand, pose for a photo while cruising during the athletes’ parade on the River Seine during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Hannah Peters / POOL / AFP)

Jo Aleh and Aaron Murray Gate, Flagbearers of Team New Zealand. Photo: HANNAH PETERS

Floriane Issert, a Gendarmerie non-commissioned officer of the National Gendarmerie, rides on a metal horse up the Seine river, during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Mauro PIMENTEL / AFP)

Floriane Issert, a Gendarmerie non-commissioned officer of the National Gendarmerie, rides on a metal horse up the Seine river. Photo: MAURO PIMENTEL

The horsewoman walks with the Olympic flag past athletes at the Trocadero during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

The horsewoman walks with the Olympic flag past athletes at the Trocadero during the opening ceremony. Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI

A heart made with red smoke by 4 planes floats in the air near Notre-Dame Cathedral during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / POOL / AFP)

A heart made with red smoke by 4 planes floats in the air near Notre-Dame Cathedral. Photo: JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: Athletes of Team New Zealand pose for a photo as they cruise along the River Siene during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Hannah Peters / POOL / AFP)

Athletes of Team New Zealand pose for a photo as they cruise along the River Seine. Photo: HANNAH PETERS

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: Athletes of Team Japan wave their national flags as they cruise along the River Siene during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Reaves / POOL / AFP)

Athletes of Team Japan wave their national flags as they cruise along the River Siene during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 Photo: MICHAEL REAVES

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: A cutout of a face is seen in the River Seine during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Hannah Peters / POOL / AFP)

A cutout of a face is seen in the River Seine during the opening ceremony. Photo: HANNAH PETERS

Paris 2024 Olympics - Opening Ceremony - Paris, France - July 26, 2024. Smoke clouds in the tricolours of the France flag are seen at Pont d'Austerlitz during the opening ceremony. (Photo by Ann Wang / POOL / AFP)

Smoke clouds in the tricolours of the France flag are seen at Pont d'Austerlitz. Photo: ANN WANG / AFP

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: Tightrope walker Nathan Paulin performs on a high rope during the athletes’ parade on the River Seine near the Supreme Court during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Maddie Meyer / POOL / AFP)

Tightrope walker Nathan Paulin performs on a high rope during the athletes' parade. Photo: MADDIE MEYER

Paris 2024 Olympics - Opening Ceremony - Paris, France - July 26, 2024. A torchbearer runs atop the Musee d'Orsay during the opening ceremony. (Photo by Peter Cziborra / POOL / AFP)

The Olympic Torch being carried during the ceremony. Photo: PETER CZIBORRA

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: Team Austria, Team Azerbaijan and Team Bahamas cruise during the athletes’ parade on the River Seine during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Maddie Meyer / POOL / AFP)

Team Austria, Team Azerbaijan and Team Bahamas cruise during the athletes' parade on the River Seine. Photo: MADDIE MEYER/pool/AFP

Paris 2024 Olympics - Opening Ceremony - Paris, France - July 26, 2024. Aircrafts of the Patrouille de France are seen flying over Paris during the opening ceremony. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne / POOL / AFP)

Aircrafts of the Patrouille de France are seen flying over Paris during the opening ceremony. Photo: CLODAGH KILCOYNE

Delegations sail in boats along the river Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Morry Gash / POOL / AFP)

Delegations sail in boats along the river Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Photo: MORRY GASH/AFP

Spectators wearing raincoats react as they hold the flags of Estonia along the Seine river embankment during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Natalia KOLESNIKOVA / AFP)

It was raining in Paris for the ceremony; spectators wearing raincoats react as they hold the flags of Estonia along the Seine river embankment. Photo: NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP

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