Olympics 2024 opening ceremony live updates (2024)

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony live updates (1)Olympics 2024 opening ceremony live updates (2)

Luke Brown·Managing Editor, Global Live

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Olympics opening ceremony takes place in Paris

The 2024 Paris Olympics got underway on Friday with a unique opening ceremony on the river Seine which divided opinion on a chaotic day in France.

Hundreds of thousands of spectators braved heavy downpours to line the banks of the Seine for the first opening ceremony of a Games to take place outside of a stadium.

They were entertained by a flotilla of barges carrying more than 6,000 athletes and musical performances from the likes of Lady Gaga and Celine Dion, who gave her first public performance since revealing she is living with a rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome.

But the ceremony was overshadowed by a series of attacks on the country’s high-speed rail network earlier in the day. The state-owned railway operator SNCF said timetables would be severely impacted all weekend and has urged all travelers to postpone their journeys.

GO FURTHERA walk along the Seine for the Olympic opening ceremony, where the joy was back

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The top boats that took to the Seine for the ceremony

The boats are docked, the cauldron is lit and the 2024 Olympic Games are officially underway.

The opening ceremony was not held in a stadium for the first time in Olympic history, as the Seine entertained 85 boats.

Greece and France were the bookends of the floating parade. Greece is always the first nation to start the “parade of nations” in the Olympic opening ceremony as an ode to the country that created the Games.

The host then country closes out the procession.

All the boats passed under 24 of the 37 bridges along the River Seine, according to the NBC broadcast. Some were large, some were small. Some hauled hundreds of athletes while others held a handful.

Therefore, here were the most eye-catching cruisers of the opening ceremony.

GO FURTHERParis 2024 river parade: Top boats of the Olympic opening ceremony on the Seine

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July 26, 2024 at 6:55 PM EDTTess DeMeyer

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Post-ceremony job 1: correct the flag?

A real horse led by a rider dressed in a metallic Joan of Arc-inspired outfit, walked to deliver the folded Olympic flag to the Palace du Trocadero stage.

The flag was then hoisted above the Trocadero…although eagle-eyed fans noticed the flag was accidentally hung upside down.

GO FURTHERBest moments of 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony: Teddy Riner, Marie-José Pérec light the torch, Celine Dion and more
July 26, 2024 at 6:45 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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An iconic view over Paris

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Imagine conceiving this idea, and finally getting to see it in real life over the French capital’s skyline.

Here, the Olympic flame held aloft by a hot-air balloon is flanked by the Eiffel Tower to its left and the Arc de Triomphe to its right.

July 26, 2024 at 6:35 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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USA’s jeans, Mongolia’s deels and Canada’s red on red

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Still intrigued by some of the outfits you saw bobbing up and down on the River Seine earlier? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

This is good fun from the excellent Caoimhe O’Neill on the fashion show that was an 85-boat flotilla trundling through Paris. It’s all yours and may well inspire your next shopping trip. Maybe.

GO FURTHERParis 2024 Olympic opening ceremony outfits: USA’s jeans, Mongolia’s deels and Canada’s red on red
July 26, 2024 at 6:22 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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A walk along the Seine...where the joy was back

You will have seen updates in here from our own brilliant writer Matthew Futterman, as he stood and waited for the opening ceremony to unfold before him.

Well, he has written his piece. This is how it starts:

📝 PARIS — There was noise, the kind only a throng of humanity can sound.

How big a throng?

Four-miles-long-and-30-deep-on-both-sides-of-the-river big.

Hundreds of thousands lined the Seine, that river of rivers snaking through the French capital…as thousands of athletes floated by on boats and barges, waving flags and arms and clinging to each other in ways that conjured that dark memory of a time when none of this was possible.

I now want to read the rest of Matthew’s writing, and I’m sure you do too. Just follow the link below.

GO FURTHERA walk along the Seine for the Olympic opening ceremony, where the joy was back
July 26, 2024 at 6:10 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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The pick of the moments from the opening ceremony

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From the piano playing of Lady Gaga to a heavy metal Les Mis tribute, a horsewoman riding the Seine and a GOAT boat.

We saw it all through almost four hours of spectacle in the French capital, welcoming the 2024 Paris Olympics.

And you can catch up on all those remarkable moments, in this cracking piece from Tess DeMeyer below. Enjoy!

GO FURTHERBest moments of 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony: Teddy Riner, Marie-José Pérec light the torch, Celine Dion and more

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July 26, 2024 at 5:55 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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Now for the real deal

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If you thought the opening ceremony was fun, then wait until you start getting stuck into the actual sport.

In truth we’ve already seen some, with the soccer and rugby sevens among the sports providing a soft-launch to the Paris 2024 events. But with the Games now officially open, we get properly engrossed.

There is diving, fencing, road time-trial cycling, shooting, skateboard and swimming all on the bill for Saturday.

And even better news… You can follow all of it through The Athletic’s Olympics coverage right here (click 'follow' in the top right hand corner).

Let’s the real fun and Games begin!

July 26, 2024 at 5:46 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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A fully French affair as the cauldron is lit

So after weeks of secrecy and hours of anticipation during the opening ceremony, it was Teddy Riner and Marie-Jose Perec revealed as the final co-torchbearers and honoree lighters of the Olympic cauldron.

A quintessential French choice to end a true extravaganza of an opening ceremony.

The flame was then lifted into the sky by a flying hot-air balloon, to mark the beginning of the 2024 Olympic Games.

You can read up on exactly how and why with the link below.

GO FURTHERTeddy Riner, Marie-José Pérec jointly light Olympic cauldron to kick off 2024 Summer Games
July 26, 2024 at 5:36 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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The ceremony closes, the iconic sights last

With the end of Celine Dion’s poignant performance and with tears in her eyes, that is the climax of the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony.

The hot-air balloon holding the Olympic flame in the Paris sky is a remarkable sight, with the shimmering Eiffel Tower a decent step back in the distance.

I can fully appreciate now why it took so long to get the torch back there.

The sight though… It is utterly spellbinding. What a brilliant piece of design and the sight you will see on all your media pages, social feeds and TV bulletins through the coming hours.

Well done, Paris. Well done.

July 26, 2024 at 5:32 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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The Brits knew it was coming

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...as shown on their boat earlier.

July 26, 2024 at 5:28 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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Where is Celine? You know where...

I forgot to say, Celine Dion is of course performing from under the Olympic rings plastered to the front of the Eiffel Tower.

But I reckon you’d probably guessed that was how it was happening.

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July 26, 2024 at 5:26 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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The moment arrives and it is beautiful

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Now then. Here we are. The oldest living French Olympian, 100-year-old Charles Coste, joins the group.

He passes the flame to three-time Olympic gold medaling judoka Teddy Riner and three-time Olympic track champion Marie-Jose Perec — both symbols of French sporting excellence — and they hand the flame to an incredible hot air balloon structure that takes the seven-meter-wide Olympic flame into the air.

This is truly an incredible sight, all playing out to the background music of Edith Piaf.

Simply spectacular. Beautifully French.

And then right on cue, Celine Dion signing in French. Et voila!

July 26, 2024 at 5:21 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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The torch guardians group grows and grows

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The accumulating crew of French athletes continues to grow, with handball star Allison Pineau the latest to lead the group — but in truth we’re picking up sports stars at an accelerating rate and it’s unlikely you’re all going to get a namecheck at this point. Sorry.

July 26, 2024 at 5:18 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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A whole new torch relay

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High fives to the crowd from Mauresmo as she carries the torch on land and back through and towards the Louvre.

The idea now seems to be to pass the torch through various French Olympians and Paralympians, as well as former NBA star and French-American, Tony Parker.

The jog through more French landmarks continues. But to where?

It’s a great question…

July 26, 2024 at 5:13 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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And so we wait

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Well, the lightshow and lasers are continuing from the Eiffel Tower, and the boat is still trundling down the Seine.

As has just been pointed out to me, Rafael Nadal is due on court tomorrow and as it stands, he and a lot of other athletes are going to be having a late night at this rate.

Not the ideal preparation. I’m sure this isn’t the first time I’ve written that tonight either.

Anyway, the boat has finally docked and Amelie Mauresmo is on hand to take on the torch.

July 26, 2024 at 5:08 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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One more show for the road — or rather, water

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We are on our final performance of the opening ceremony, by the looks of it.

Supernature from Cerrone plays out, with a sign language performance by Shaheem Sanchez.

Fortunately, our super boat quartet are still enjoying themselves in their classy outfits and required life jackets.

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July 26, 2024 at 5:06 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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Two more for the champion vessel

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Goodness me, you saw him earlier in this feed… Yes, Carl Lewis is also on this magic Olympic marvel of a boat — as well as Games icon, Nadia Comaneci.

A lot of sports titles weighing down that boat right now.

July 26, 2024 at 5:04 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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Serena gets the call and she is on the boat!

The Eiffel Tower glimmers in the Paris night. The crowd cheers to make up for the waiting.

Back to the Seine, as a motorboat trundles back down the river towards Palace du Tracadero.

Nadal is standing up in the boat, holding the torch and clinging to a pole that’s clearly there to help him stand up.

Nadal passes the torch to…

Serena Williams!

July 26, 2024 at 5:01 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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The Eiffel Tower’s big moment

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Here come the iconic shots. The five Olympic lights are light on the Eiffel Tower, before lights and lasers stream from the Paris landmark.

Quite frankly, this looks epic.

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony live updates (2024)

FAQs

What was the Olympic ceremony about 2024? ›

The 2024 Paris Games are coming to a close — and now spectators are looking toward L.A. 2028. California artists H.E.R., the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish and Snoop Dogg performed as a nod to the next host city. Actor Tom Cruise also did a stunt for the handover.

What country has the most Olympic medals in 2024? ›

The 2024 Paris Olympics have come to a close. The U.S. achieved great success, earning a total of 126 medals, while China followed with 91 medals.

Who sang for the Olympics in 2024? ›

We will have incredible memories of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. And to sing us out is Yseult – singing an interpretation of Frank Sinatra's classic, My Way, itself originally based on the French song Comme d'habitude. And with a last blast of fireworks above the Stade de France, the ceremony concludes.

Who are the entertainers at the Olympics in 2024? ›

PARIS, France — The Closing Ceremony for the Paris Olympics brought out several stars: Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg and Red Hot Chili Peppers all took the stage on Sunday.

What did Tom Cruise do at the Olympics closing ceremony? ›

Tom Cruise rappelled down from the top of the Stade de France, greeting Olympians after landing safely. Simone Biles then made a surprise appearance at the closing ceremony, playing a part in the passing of the Olympic flag from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

Who was the guitarist in the Olympic closing ceremony? ›

Now French guitarist Noé Efira appears to have been confirmed as the man behind the mask – and the player behind a searing solo that came right after Cambodian rapper Vann Da's performance of Time to Rise [at about 10.50 in the clip below].

What country has won the most Olympic gold medals of all time? ›

Here's a look at the top 10 countries in the all-time Summer Olympics gold medal count: United States - 1,061. Soviet Union - 395. Great Britain - 284.

What state has the most Olympic medals in 2024? ›

CALIFORNIA, USA — California Olympians brought home 22 medals, including seven gold, from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Team USA brought home 126 medals including 40 gold, 44 silver and 42 bronze.

Which country won the most medals in the last Winter Olympics? ›

Following the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, Norway had won more medals than any other country, with a total of 405. It was also the country with the most gold medals. Meanwhile, the country with the second-highest medal total was the United States with 330.

Is Tom Cruise at the Olympics in 2024? ›

On Sunday, August 11, actor Tom Cruise made a spectacular live appearance at the Stade de France during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games, descending from the sky before embarking on a motorcycle journey in a video, ultimately delivering the Olympic flag to Los Angeles.

Who sang the Star-Spangled Banner at the Olympics 2024? ›

After the Olympic Flag was lowered and handed to LA, 'The Star-Spangled Banner' was performed by Emmy, Grammy and Oscar-winning Californian artist H.E.R..

Who sang with Snoop Dogg at the Olympic closing ceremony? ›

The Paris Olympics closing ceremony was full of surprises Sunday and featured performances by Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, H.E.R and Phoenix.

Who's performing the closing ceremony of the Olympics in 2024? ›

2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony: Billie Eilish Brings 'Birds of a Feather,' Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre Deliver 'The Next Episode' & More. Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg with Dr. Dre and the Red Hot Chili Peppers entertained for the closing celebration of the Olympics, which will next be hosted in Los Angeles.

Who sang the national anthem at the Olympic closing ceremony in 2024? ›

PARIS - In a captivating performance in the City of Love, R&B singer H.E.R. sang the "Star Spangled Banner" during the Olympics' closing ceremony. The Vallejo native, donned in all-white, sang the anthem at the Stade de France while the Olympic flag was held by decorated American gymnast and Olympian Simone Biles.

Who was the closing singer at the Olympics? ›

The grand finale of the closing ceremony came when French singer-songwriter Yseult took the stage at Stade de France to sing "My Way," the classic song made famous by Frank Sinatra.

What was the Olympics closing ceremony about? ›

As well as reflecting on the Olympics in Paris, the closing ceremony provided a showcase for Los Angeles, which will host the Games for a third time in 2028. R&B artist H.E.R. performed the American national anthem inside Stade de France before viewers were transported to LA.

What is the meaning of the 2024 Olympic logo? ›

The logo for Paris 2024 combines three separate symbols – the gold medal, the flame and Marianne, the personification of the French Republic. Each of these symbols reflects a part of our identity and values.

What is the theme of Olympics 2024? ›

Blue, red, green and purple, with symbols alluding to the French art de vivre and iconic locations in France, the Look of the Games by Paris 2024 illustrates the country's wealth and diversity.

Why was Tom Cruise in the Olympics? ›

In 2004, Cruise participated in the Olympics' opening ceremonies, helping carry the Olympic torch through Los Angeles as it made its way around the world before resting in Athens, Greece, where the games were taking place that year.

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