Paris 2024 Olympics: Spectacular opening ceremony - in pictures

A global audience of more than one billion people was expected to watch the opening ceremony, which saw central Paris turned into an open-air theatre.

The Olympic cauldron is seen after being lit during the opening ceremony
Image: The Olympic cauldron floats after being lit during the opening ceremony. Pic: Reuters
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The Paris Olympics is officially under way after a spectacular opening ceremony featuring the likes of Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and Zinedine Zidane.

A global audience of more than one billion people was expected to watch the opening ceremony, which saw central Paris turned into an open-air theatre.

Here are some of the best images from the opening ceremony.

Paris Olympics 2024 latest: Celine Dion sings from Eiffel Tower

Participating nation flags are presented inside the Trocadero.
Pic: Reuters
Image: Participating nation flags are presented inside the Trocadero. Pic: Reuters
Overview of the Trocadero venue as the delegations arrive during the opening ceremony.
PIc: Reuters
Image: The ceremony took place in front of the Eiffel Tower. Pic: Reuters
A general view of country flags during the Opening Ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games.
Pic: Reuters
Image: The flags of some of the nations competing in the Olympics. Pic: Reuters
Pic Reuters
Image: The balloon is seen behind the Louvre. Pic: Reuters
The Olympic flag is carried on the  Trocadero during the opening ceremony.
Pic: Reuters
Image: The Olympic flag is carried on the Trocadero. Pic: Reuters
Zinedine Zidane passes the Olympic torch to tennis player Rafael Nadal.
Pic Reuters
Image: Zinedine Zidane passes the Olympic torch to tennis player Rafael Nadal. Pic: Reuters
Rafael Nadal holds the Olympic torch alongside Serena Williams on a boat on the river Seine.
Pic Reuters
Image: Rafael Nadal holds the Olympic torch alongside Serena Williams. Pic Reuters
The France Olympic team during the opening ceremony.
Pic PA
Image: The France Olympic team during the opening ceremony. Pic: PA
Paris 2024 Olympics - Opening Ceremony - Paris, France - July 26, 2024. Athletes of Great Britain are seen aboard a boat in the floating parade on the river Seine during the opening ceremony. Pool via REUTERS/Nir Elias
Image: Team GB athletes aboard a boat in the floating parade on the River Seine. Pic: Reuters
Flagbearers Thomas Daley and Helen Glover.
Pic: Reuters
Image: British flagbearers Tom Daley and Helen Glover. Pic: Reuters
Tennis players Andy Murray and Jack Draper of Britain wave flags on the team boat
Image: British tennis players Andy Murray and Jack Draper wave flags on the team boat. Pic: Reuters
Lady Gaga performs in Paris, France, ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Pic:AP
Image: Lady Gaga performs at the opening ceremony. Pic: Reuters
The Eiffel Tower is decorated with the Olympic Five Rings during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Pic:  The Yomiuri Shimbun/AP
Image: The Eiffel Tower decorated with the Olympic rings. Pic: The Yomiuri Shimbun/AP
Smoke resembling the flag of France.
Pic:PA
Image: Smoke resembling the flag of France. Pic:PA
This aerial photo shows the Eiffel Tower  during the opening ceremony.
Pic AP
Image: An aerial view of the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony. Pic: AP
Tthe Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral on the Ile de la Cite, right, as boats carrying Olympic athletes float along the Seine in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony.
Pic AP
Image: The Notre-Dame during the opening ceremony. Pic AP
Keir Starmer shelters from the rain
Image: Prime Minister Keir Starmer shelters from the rain. Pic: Reuters
Smoke billows near windows as performers participate during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Pic: AP
Image: Smoke billows during a performance at the opening ceremony. Pic: AP
Spectators shelter from the rain at the Trocadero during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games 
Pic: PA
Image: Spectators shelter from the rain at the Trocadero. Pic: PA
Musicians from the French National Orchestra shelter from the rain during the opening ceremony.
Pic:PA
Image: Musicians from the French National Orchestra shelter from the rain. Pic: PA
Athletes from North Korea.
Pic: Reuters
Image: Athletes from North Korea. Pic: Reuters
Aircraft of the Patrouille de France are seen flying over Paris during the opening ceremony.
Pic Reuters
Image: Aircraft of the Patrouille de France flying over Paris. Pic: Reuters
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo arrive at the Trocadero ahead of the opening ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Pic: PA
Image: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande arrive at the Trocadero ahead of the opening ceremony. Pic: PA
John Legend and his wife Chrissy Teigen arrives at the Trocadero ahead of the opening ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 
Pic: PA
Image: John Legend with his wife Chrissy Teigen and their children. Pic: PA
Chris Hoy and Rebecca Adlington arrive at the Trocadero ahead of the opening ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Pic PA
Image: Rebecca Adlington and Chris Hoy. Pic: PA
Pharrell Williams arrives at the Trocadero ahead of the opening ceremony.
Pic: PA
Image: Pharrell Williams arrives at the Trocadero ahead of the opening ceremony. Pic: PA
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