The Paris Olympics officially opened on Friday after a flotilla of athletes traveled along the Seine River in the first Olympic opening ceremony held outside a stadium. Here is a selection of photos of the ceremony held under rainy skies in the French capital.
A balloon carrying the Olympic cauldron rises in the sky during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in the French capital on July 26, 2024. (Kyodo)
The Eiffel Tower is illuminated during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in the French capital on July 26, 2024. (Kyodo)
The Eiffel Tower is illuminated during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in the French capital on July 26, 2024. (Pool photo) (Kyodo) Kyodo
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach addresses the Paris Olympic opening ceremony on July 26, 2024, at the Place du Trocadero in the French capital. (Kyodo)
Tennis player Rafael Nadal holds up the Olympic torch during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in the French capital on July 26, 2024. (Kyodo)
French athlete Marie-Jose Perec (R) and French judoka Teddy Riner hold the Olympic torches during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in the French capital on July 26, 2024. (Kyodo)
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in the French capital on July 26, 2024. (Kyodo)
The Olympic flag arrives at Place du Trocadero in Paris during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on July 26, 2024. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)
Flags of the competing countries arrive at the Place du Trocadero in Paris during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on July 26, 2024. (Kyodo)
Flags of the competing countries arrive at the Place du Trocadero in Paris during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on July 26, 2024. (Kyodo)
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in the French capital on July 26, 2024. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)
The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics is held at the Trocadero in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)
The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics is held at the Trocadero in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Kyodo)
A boat carrying Ukraine's delegation cruises on the Seine River in Paris during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on July 26, 2024. (Kyodo)
Fencer Misaki Emura (2nd from R) and breaker Shigeyuki "Shigekix" Nakarai (far R) carry the Japanese national flag while cruising on the Seine River in Paris during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on July 26, 2024. (Kyodo)
A boat carrying France's delegation cruises on the Seine River in Paris during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on July 26, 2024. (Kyodo)
A boat carrying the Olympic torch cruises on the Seine River during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on July 26, 2024. (Kyodo)
Smoke resembling the flag of France is shown over Austerlitz Bridge during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on the Seine River in the French capital on July 26, 2024. (Kyodo)
French President Emmanuel Macron (C) and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (R) arrive at the venue of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony in Paris on July 26, 2024.(Pool photo) (Kyodo)
People wait for the start of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Kyodo)
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