The 33rd Olympic Games commenced on Friday evening with a dazzling ceremony in Paris.
The legendary Seine River served as the stage for the athletes’ procession, showcasing France’s rich cultural heritage. Sports enthusiasts have hailed the Paris Olympics as a “once in a lifetime” experience.
The long Olympic torch relay culminated in the lighting of the cauldron, which will burn for the next two weeks as the Paris Games unfold. During the closing ceremony, the flame will be extinguished in Paris and then prepared for the next Games, set to take place in two years in Milan, Italy.
The torch was passed between legendary athletes including Zinedine Zidane, Rafael Nadal—who carried the torch on a boat down the Seine—Serena Williams—who rode alongside Nadal—Carl Lewis, Tony Parker, and numerous French Olympians. Finally, the cauldron was lit by French Olympians Teddy Riner and Marie-José Pérec.
The flame was ignited after French President Emmanuel Macron declared the Games open and France’s two flag bearers took the Olympic oath.
