Olympics opening ceremony recap: Highlights from Paris torch relay, flame lighting (2024)

Table of Contents
Who lit the Olympic Cauldron? Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams carried Olympic torch Amelie Mauresmo passed Olympic torch to Tony Parker Celine Dion at opening ceremony dazzled Eiffel Tower puts on light show at opening ceremony Who sang 'Imagine' at the Olympics? Team USA's LeBron James, Coco Gauff not slowed by rain Axelle Saint-Cirel performs French national anthem on Grand Palais roof Steph Curry, A'ja Wilson at Olympics opening ceremony Which country will host the 2028 Olympics? Noah Lyles, Sha'Carri Richardson show off nails at opening ceremony What country has the most athletes in the Olympics? Why was Australia after Zambia and Zimbabwe at opening ceremony? Olympics opening ceremony order of countries Metal band at Paris Olympics: Who is Gojira? Aya Nakamura Olympics opening ceremony performance Why Russia, Belarus are banned from 2024 Olympics How many athletes are on Team USA? How many countries participate in the 2024 Olympics? Minions at Olympics opening ceremony Lady Gaga at Olympics opening ceremony gave stunning performance Olympic opening ceremony performers Who made medals for the Paris Olympics? How many medals were made for the Paris Olympics? Why does Greece go first in the Olympics? Why is Peyton Manning wearing an arm band? Giannis Antetokounmpo on being Greece's flag bearer Who designed the Olympics flag? Americans in Paris Not every local was in a festive mood Team USA opening ceremony outfit Coco Gauff opens up on being U.S. flag bearer, making Olympic debut USA flag bearers 2024 Why is Snoop Dogg at Olympics? Paris Olympics closing ceremony date How many times has Paris hosted the Olympics? Are any U.S. athletes skipping the opening ceremony? FAQs References

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Olympics opening ceremony recap: Highlights from Paris torch relay, flame lighting (1)

Olympics opening ceremony recap: Highlights from Paris torch relay, flame lighting (2)

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Editor's note: Follow the latest Olympics live results, medal count and updates for Saturday, July 27.

With an ambitious and unique opening ceremony, the 2024 Paris Olympics got under way when thousands of Olympians, including Team USA athletes, cruised along the Seine River on Friday night.

The city’s iconic landmarks provided a stunning backdrop for the parade of nations. Athletes from around the world, including Team USA flag bearers LeBron James and Coco Gauff, floated on boats for the six-kilometer route that traveled east to west across Paris from the Pont d’Austerlitz to the Trocadero.

USA TODAY Sports brought you live updates from Paris, highlights and more throughout the opening ceremony. (Follow NBC's replay of the opening ceremony in prime time.)

Who lit the Olympic Cauldron?

The Olympic Cauldron was lit by Teddy Riner, a three-time Olympic champion in judo, and Marie-Jose Perec, a three-time Olympic champion in track and field.

Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams carried Olympic torch

In an Olympics opening ceremony surprise, Rafael Nadal carried the Olympic torch once it reached the Eiffel Tower. Nadal might as well have honorary French residency after winning a record 14 French Opens. He won four in a row from 2005-2008, five in a row from 2010-2014, another four in a row from 2017-2020 and his final one in 2022.He is 112-4 all-time at Roland Garros. A statue of him was erected outside the stadium in 2021. Nadal has 22 Grand Slams total.

Nadal then passed the torch to fellow tennis legend Serena Williams. Three of her 23 Grand Slam titles came at the French Open.Carl Lewis, a four-time Olympic champion at the 1984 Games, and Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, who scored the first perfect 10 in Olympic history at the 1976 Games, also were part of the torch’s final journey. — Nancy Armour

Amelie Mauresmo passed Olympic torch to Tony Parker

The tennis theme in the Olympic torch relay continued when Amelie Mauresmo, the only French player to be No. 1 in the Open era, took the torch after it arrived off the boat. Tony Parker, who paved the way for French players in the NBA and won four titles with the San Antonio Spurs, took the handoff from Mauresmo. Parker and Carter continued running with the torch after they passed it over to a trio of French athletes. — Nancy Armour

Celine Dion at opening ceremony dazzled

The legendary singer Celine Dion performed at the opening ceremony after the Olympic Cauldron was lit. She also sang at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics opening ceremony.

Eiffel Tower puts on light show at opening ceremony

Watch the iconic Paris landmark sparkle.

Who sang 'Imagine' at the Olympics?

Pianist Sofianne Pamart and singer Juliette Armanet performed “Imagine,” the John Lennon and Yoko Ono song.

Team USA's LeBron James, Coco Gauff not slowed by rain

The rain wasn’t spoiling the party for LeBron James, Coco Gauff and the rest of the U.S. Olympic team.

“Representing the red, white and blue, there’s no better time,” James said during an interview with NBC’s Maria Taylor during the parade of nations. “We’re here for the USA and ready to go out and compete at a high level.”

The NBA superstar and the Grand Slam champion were selected as flagbearers by the rest of the U.S. team. Flagbearers held their country’s flags aloft as the team boats floated down the Seine while other athletes waved smaller flags. But Gauff and James also took time to pose for photos with others on the boat – including the captain – and take in the sights of Paris.

“Seeing a lot of water, first off,” Gauff said. “But also some amazing people, a lot of amazing athletes and we’re all excited to represent Team USA.”

Asked if the steady rain put a damper on their special moment, James said no.

“The rain can’t stop us,” he said. — Nancy Armour

Axelle Saint-Cirel performs French national anthem on Grand Palais roof

On the roof of the Grand-Palais and wearing colors of the French flag, Axelle Saint-Cirel, the Choeur and the Maîtrise de Radio France performed the French national anthem, called The Marseillaise. It was composed in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle, who was an officer for the French Engineers. It was declared the national anthem in 1795. As the national anthem was performed, the Republic Guard raised the flag at the Trocadéro. Composer Victor le Masne musically rearranged the national anthem for the opening ceremony.

Steph Curry, A'ja Wilson at Olympics opening ceremony

Women's basketball forwardA'Ja Wilsonlooks to have added an extra piece of fashion to her Team USA Ralph Lauren outfit — thanks to the help of Steph Curry. The Golden State Warriors guard — who is making his Olympic debut with USA Basketball in Paris — gifted Wilson Olympics-themed sunglasses for Friday's opening ceremony.

Which country will host the 2028 Olympics?

The 2028 Summer Olympics will be in Los Angeles. The city has hosted twice before: 1932 and 1984.

Noah Lyles, Sha'Carri Richardson show off nails at opening ceremony

Here's a look the nails of Noah Lyles, who is the fastest man in the world so far this year.

And here are Sha'Carri Richardson's nails from the opening ceremony.

What country has the most athletes in the Olympics?

There are 10,714 athletes from 206 different countries scheduled to take part in this year's Olympic Games. The United Stateswill have the largest national delegation at the Summer Games in Paris with593 athletes. Host nation France is second with 573, followed by Australia (460), Germany (427), Japan (404), Italy (403), China (388), Spain (382), Great Britain (327) and Canada (318) rounding out the top 10.

Why was Australia after Zambia and Zimbabwe at opening ceremony?

The sight of the Australian team coming after Zambia and Zimbabwe might have taken those who know their alphabet by surprise. But there was a reason for the Aussies being so far out of alphabetical order.Countries that are hosting upcoming Olympics come at the end of the Parade of Nations. Brisbane is hosting the 2032 Summer Games, so Australia was the third-to-last team. The United States was second-to-last, with the Olympics returning to Los Angeles in four years. And France, the host of these Paris Olympics, was the last country in the 85-boat flotilla. — Nancy Armour

Olympics opening ceremony order of countries

The order of the parade of nations is determined by the French spelling of their country names. Germany is Allemagne in French, for example, so it goes with the As, not the Gs. The only exceptions are the United States, which is Etats-Unis in French but goes second-to-last because it is hosting the next Summer Games, and France, because it’s the host country.

Metal band at Paris Olympics: Who is Gojira?

The metal band Gojira, who performed at the Olympics opening ceremony, is made up of Joe Duplantier, Mario Duplantier, Christian Andreu and Jean-Michel La- badie. They performed at the Conciergerie, which was the residence of French kings in medieval times. It became a prison during the French revolution and Marie-Antoinette was one of its most famous prisoners.Gojira performed alongside singer Marina Viotti.

Aya Nakamura Olympics opening ceremony performance

Aya Nakamura is one of France’s most famous pop stars, performing performed "Pookie, Djadja" and "For me formidable, La Bohéme" at the opening ceremony alongside 60 musicians from the Republican Guard and 36 choristers of the French Army. Nakamura mixes elements of R&B, Afropop and Parisian street slang, and her most famous song is “Djadja.” She’s been compared to Rihanna and Cardi B.

Why Russia, Belarus are banned from 2024 Olympics

Once again, Russia is technically banned from appearing at the Olympic Games. Yet once again, Russian athletes will compete under a different name − a handful of them, at least.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, which begin this week, 15 athletes from Russia − and 18 from neighboring Belarus − are slated to compete as "Individual Neutral Athletes," or AINs for short, according to the most recent statistics released by the International Olympic Committee on Saturday. The AIN classification means that Russian and Belarusian flags, national anthems and uniforms will be absent from the Paris Games. This punishment was levied by the International Olympic Committee following its invasion of Ukraine. — Tom Schad

How many athletes are on Team USA?

There are 593 American Olympians at the Paris Games. Meet Team USA.

How many countries participate in the 2024 Olympics?

More than 200 countries are competing in the 2024 Olympics, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.

Minions at Olympics opening ceremony

Minions — of the "Despicable Me" franchise and its spinoff movie, "Minions" — made a digital appearance at the opening ceremony. In a video with the "unknown" athlete running with the Olympic torch, the Minions are seen acting out a scene in a submarine submerged in the Seine.

Lady Gaga at Olympics opening ceremony gave stunning performance

Lady Gagareturned to music at the 2024Paris Olympicsduring a performance at the opening ceremony and lit up the City of Lights. Alongsidea fleet of dancers, the Grammy favorite performed a French-inspired set alongside the Seine river with a tribute to Zizi Jeanmaire's presentation of"Mon Truc En Plumes,"translated to “My Thing with Feathers.” — Jay Stahl

Olympic opening ceremony performers

Lady Gaga, metal band Gojira and French pop star Aya Nakamura were among those who have performed at the opening ceremony.

Who made medals for the Paris Olympics?

The Monnaie de Paris, which has been minting France’s coins since 864. The company also made the medals for the Athens Olympics in 1896, the first modern Olympic Games, and the two previous Summer Games in Paris, in 1900 and 1924.

How many medals were made for the Paris Olympics?

5,084.

Why does Greece go first in the Olympics?

Greece goes first at the opening ceremony every Olympics because it is the birthplace of the Olympic Games.

Why is Peyton Manning wearing an arm band?

NBC opening ceremony co-host Peyton Manning sported an arm band on his right forearm during the opening ceremony broadcast, much like he did during his playing days as an NFL quarterback. He joked he was wearing it because he had notes on all 200-plus countries in the opening ceremomny.

Giannis Antetokounmpo on being Greece's flag bearer

“That is an honor,”he said.“If I am the flag bearer, great. If I am not, OK. I am just happy that I have a good coaching staff and a good team, I am in the Olympics."

Who designed the Olympics flag?

Pierre de Coubertin, who is considered the founder of the modern Olympics, designed the rings in July 1913. The Olympics logo was first used on a flag in 1914. That original flag is now at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. The IOC officially adopted the rings logo and flag in 1914.

Americans in Paris

Rachael Raskovich, Amanda Mason-Sekula and Kelly Holmes arrived at the opening ceremony wearing American flag themed hats, red white and blue glasses and sequin USA jackets with "Proud American" stitched on the back.

"Amazon," Raskovich said with a smile when asked about the gear.

The trio of friends met in law school and said they will spend the next week or so hopping around to events around the city. They have tickets to beach volleyball and equestrian, Raskovich said, among other sports. Their group was just one of the many clad in red, white and blue that lined the southern banks of the Seine River on Friday night. Doris Ng of Chicago was among the U.S. spectators who were still searching for a good spot from which to view the ceremony in the hour before it began.

"We thought we were going to be on time," she said. "I think everybody else beat us to the punch already."

Fortunately, she also has tickets to the closing ceremony, she said. — Tom Schad

Not every local was in a festive mood

One man saw my media credential and wanted to make sure — despite barely speaking English — that he was upset over a rumor Celine Dion had been paid 2 million Euros to perform one song at the opening ceremony. Another woman, an American who has lived in Paris for 15 years, said property taxes went up and yet Parisians were not given much access to events or even public spaces to watch the festivities despite the financial and social burden being put on them.

But even when the rain began falling, people did not scatter to look for shelter. Instead they powered through, trying to get a better look at the bleu, blanc and rouge streaks being left in the sky by an airplane flyover.

Restaurants, which don’t have televisions here, were generally not busy. If you were going out to eat Friday night, it’s because you didn’t care to watch the show live. But inside one of them in a residential area near the Eiffel Tower, you could hear the singing of La Marseillaise, the French National Anthem. For a few minutes, the din of conversation went completely silent.— Dan Wolken

Team USA opening ceremony outfit

Team USA’s opening ceremony outfit is a modern take on a tailored look. On top, a tailored single-breasted wool blazer with red and white tipping is worn over a striped oxford shirt. The bottom is a more casual tapered jean and classic suede buck shoe fit.

Ralph Lauren works closely with Team USA and the goal, as always, is to “do something graphic and uniquely American,” chief brand and innovation officer David Lauren said.

To account for the heat, the company constantly looks at different fabrics and layering systems to keep the athlete’s body temperature in check, Lauren said. All items in both the opening and closing ceremony outfits are manufactured in the United States.

Coco Gauff opens up on being U.S. flag bearer, making Olympic debut

Coco Gauff is making her Olympic debut in Paris and she is one of two U.S. flag bearers. “(Competing) in theOlympicshas always been up there with winning a Grand Slam, like top goals,” Gauff told USA TODAY Sports this summer.Read our full feature on Gauff.

On the opening ceremony red carpet, Serena Williams was asked about Gauff being the flag bearer. "Isn't that great. I'm so excited to see her tonight. I'm just so happy for her," the tennis legend said.

USA flag bearers 2024

Basketball superstar LeBron James and tennis star Coco Gauff are the flag bearers for the Americans. Gauff is the first tennis player to serve in the role.

Why is Snoop Dogg at Olympics?

With his mind on the Olympics and the Olympics on his mind, Snoop Dogg is, indeed, back for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The rapper, who will carry the torch ahead of the opening ceremony, is primed for a bigger role three years after his reactions to the dressage competition with Kevin Hart went viral at the Tokyo Games.

Snoop will appear regularly on “Primetime in Paris,” serving as a “special correspondent” for NBC. During parts of the primetime show, Snoop Dogg will interact with Team USA athletes, their families, or explore Paris and share his experiences and insights with the night's audience. He's also carrying the Olympic torch.

Paris Olympics closing ceremony date

The 2024 Summer Games will hold the closing ceremony on Aug. 11

How many times has Paris hosted the Olympics?

Paris has hosted the Summer Olympics three times: 1900, 1924 and 2024.

Are any U.S. athletes skipping the opening ceremony?

About 350 of Team USA’s 592 athletes will march – or rather, float – in today's opening ceremony, according to Nicole Deal, who oversees the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s security operations.

That means about 40% of the U.S. delegation will be absent, though that is not exactly unusual.

Many athletes and teams – especially those competing early in the Games – choose to pass on the opening ceremony because it often runs late into the night and requires them to spend several hours on their feet. U.S. gymnasts and swimmers, for example, regularly skip the ceremony to rest up for their competitions – which, in some cases, begin the next morning.

U.S. swimming star Katie Ledecky said earlier this week that she never planned on going to the Paris opening ceremony for this very reason. She swims the 400-meter freestyle Saturday morning. — Tom Schad

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Olympics opening ceremony recap: Highlights from Paris torch relay, flame lighting (2024)

FAQs

What was the Paris opening ceremony about? ›

PARIS — After a global pandemic and in the shadow of at least three ongoing wars, the 2024 Paris Olympic Games kicked off Friday with a spectacular open-air opening ceremony that aimed to provide relief, positivity and perhaps even unity in a world riven by tension.

What is the significance of the Olympic torch flame? ›

The Olympic flame is a powerful symbol of the Games — it is intended to embody the ideals of peace, unity, and the enduring spirit of competition. Its origins trace back to the ancient Greek tradition, where a sacred flame burned at the altar of Hestia during the original Olympic Games.

Who lit the torch at the opening ceremony? ›

The cauldron is lit by torch bearers Marie-Jose Perec and Teddy Riner in Paris during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics, July 26, 2024. “I really waited until today.

Is the Olympic flame lit during the opening ceremony? ›

During the opening ceremony the final bearer of the torch runs towards the cauldron, often placed at the top of a grand staircase, and then uses the torch to start the flame in the stadium.

What was controversial about the opening ceremony of the Olympics? ›

PARIS, July 27 (Reuters) - A parody of Leonardo Da Vinci's famous fresco 'The Last Supper' featuring drag queens in the Olympic opening ceremony in Paris has sparked fury among the Catholic church and far-right politicians, while supporters praised its message of tolerance.

What happened at the opening ceremony of the Olympics last supper? ›

The opening ceremonies in Paris included a group of performers, some of them in drag, in a scene that appeared to resemble the da Vinci painting of “The Last Supper.” The painting depits the final meal of Jesus with his apostles, night before the crucifixtion.

Is the Olympic flame in Paris real? ›

The ring at the base of the balloon houses 40 LED lights which illuminate a cloud of water vapour produced by 200 high-pressure misting nozzles to give the flickering and smoke effect of real flames.

Who is lighting the flame in Paris? ›

And the athletes chosen for the honour of lighting the Olympic cauldron at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 were... French judoka Teddy Riner and sprinter Marie-José Pérec, but how we got to that point was absolutely epic.

How is the Olympic flame floating in Paris? ›

By The Associated Press

Paris Olympics organizers said that from Saturday, the cauldron attached to a balloon will fly more than 60 meters (197 feet) above the Tuileries gardens from sunset until 2 a.m. The launch zone site is near the glass pyramid entrance to the Louvre museum.

Has the Olympic flame ever gone out? ›

Another example included in the 2014 Sochi Olympics, when the flame was blown out at the Kremlin and later reignited by a security officer's lighter (instead of a backup flame).

What does the lighting of the torch mean? ›

Lighting the torch. THE OLYMPIC TORCH AND FLAME. The torch is a symbol of the harmony and goodwill which represent the ideals of the Olympic Games. The Olympic flame represents the basic spiritual significance of the Olympic Movement, a symbol of peace among peoples of the world.

Where is the Olympic flame kept? ›

For air transportation, the flame is sheltered in a security lamp, similar to a miner's lamp. At night time, it is kept in a special cauldron. The Relay's function is twofold: to herald the Olympic Games and to transmit a message of peace and friendship to the people along its route.

What does the torch lighting symbolize in the Olympics? ›

In the context of the modern Games, the Olympic flame is a manifestation of the positive values that Man has always associated with the symbolism of fire and thus makes the link between the ancient and the modern Games. A few months before the opening of the Olympic Games, a flame is lit at Olympia, in Greece.

What is the story of the Olympic torch? ›

Moreover, the flame is a symbol of continuity and connection with the ancient Olympic Games, which were held in honor of Zeus in Olympia, Greece. The tradition of lighting the flame in Olympia and transporting it to the host city of the modern Games reflects the transmission of these values through time and space.

What is light at the opening ceremony of the Olympics? ›

The Olympic flame: A symbol of peace

The Olympic flame has been a symbol of peace and friendship among nations since antiquity. To ensure its purity, the flame is always lit by the sun's rays caught in the center of a parabolic mirror.

What is the purpose of the opening ceremony Olympics? ›

Through music, song, dance and fireworks, the opening and closing ceremonies invite people to discover the culture of the country in which the Games are taking place. In addition to these celebrations, there are some very precise rituals at the ceremonies.

What was the opening ceremony for the ancient Olympics? ›

In order to open a games in ancient Greece the organizers would hold an Inauguration Festival. This was followed by a ceremony in which athletes took an oath of sportsmanship. The first competition, an artistic competition of trumpeters and heralds, concluded the opening festivities.

Who is carrying the Olympic flag in the opening ceremony? ›

Floriane Issert, a non-commissioned officer of the National Gendarmerie, carries the Olympic flag into the Trocadero during the Opening Ceremony.

What was the Paris exhibition? ›

The Exposition Universelle of 1889 (French pronunciation: [ɛkspozisjɔ̃ ynivɛʁsɛl]), better known in English as the 1889 Paris Exposition, was a world's fair held in Paris, France, from 6 May to 31 October 1889.

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