Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony Highlights

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games opened with a groundbreaking outdoor ceremony along the River Seine, featuring performances by Lady Gaga and Celine Dion, and a unique hot-air balloon-shaped Olympic cauldron. The torch relay began with Zinedine Zidane and involved numerous sports legends including Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams, culminating in the cauldron's ignition by Teddy Riner and Marie-José Pérec at Tuileries Gardens, paying homage to Paris's historical ballooning legacy. The event attracted around 320,000 spectators and was broadcast live, showcasing the city's iconic landmarks such as the Louvre and Eiffel Tower. Mathieu Lehanneur designed the 'Floating Cauldron', symbolizing unity and magic, with the flame made of light and water. This marked the first time the opening ceremony took place outside a stadium, setting a new precedent for Olympic festivities. The celebration concluded with Celine Dion's performance, marking her first public appearance since her health struggles.