The 2024 Paris Olympic Games has been officially opened – with driving rain failing to dampen spirits nor the flame.
Millions were treated to a four-hour opening ceremony extravaganza along the River Seine and surrounding areas, with celebrated French culture in a multitude of ways.
Aside from colour, there was plenty of music, dance, and a chandelier of stars making cameos along the way – including Lady Gaga, former NBA superstar Tony Parker and legendary American track athlete Carl Lewis.
Unlike previous events, the cauldron at this Olympic Games is a hot air balloon. It was lit by French duo Teddy Riner and Marie-José Pérec and shone like a beacon of hope.
The showcase ended with Celine Dion providing a stirring rendition of Hyme A L’Amour on the Eiffel Tower, with the stars above providing a picturesque backdrop.
Australia’s flag bearers for the ceremony were canoeist Jess Fox, along with men’s hockey stalwart Eddie Ockenden.
Aside from the opening ceremony, a series of pre-training 10m shooting events were held prior, in the disciplines of air pistol men’s and women’s, along with mixed team air rifle – which will be the first medal up for grabs at 4.30pm on Saturday afternoon.
The weekend ahead
For basketball and hockey fans, Saturday will provide a good opportunity to get a glimpse of Australia’s medal hopes in the men’s competition.
At 5pm WST, the Boomers open Group A with an intriguing match up against Spain – a side ranked second in the world and one which has routinely gotten the better of them at tournament level.
Australia’s form leading up to the Olympics has been solid, with warm up wins against France, Puerto Rico and Serbia.
Their only defeat was a 98-92 loss against the US – the competition’s red-hot favourites – after trailing by 24 points early in the second half.
Other teams in Group A are Greece and Canada.
The Americans, led by the iconic LeBron James, are in Group C alongside South Sudan, Puerto Rico and Serbia.
For hockey enthusiasts, the Kookaburras also begin their Pool B campaign against Argentina at 7.15pm WST.
A massive few days of swimming will also begin from 5pm at the Paris La Defense Arena, with Australia tipped to feature amongst the medals across several disciplines.
Around 8.30pm WST, the men’s rugby sevens semifinals will take centre stage, with Australia taking on tournament favourites Fiji, meanwhile South Africa – the ‘Blitzboks’ – take on France.
