The Paris Olympics is up and running after a breathtaking opening ceremony got underway to kick-start what promises to be a fortnight of compelling action and drama.
Spectators have already been treated to plenty of memorable moments after the football, rugby sevens, handball and shooting events began in the week, but tonight’s Parade of Nations and the symbolic lighting of the torch marks the official start of the Games.
For the first time in Olympic history, this summer’s opening ceremony – which kicks off the first Games in 100 years in the French capital – is taking place outside of the main athletics stadium.
A fleet of boats will carry sportsmen and women from the 206 competing nations down a 6km stretch of the River Seine and the ambitious spectacle will reach its crescendo at the Trocadero.
A series of co-ordinated arson attacks paralysed France’s rail network on the eve of the ceremony but it’s believed as many as 600,000 people have flocked to the Olympics’ epicentre to witness a piece of history.
Around 6,800 of the world’s finest athletes will be front and centre during the four-hour-long party and pop superstars Celine Dion and Lady Gaga are both set to perform.
The Parade of Nations departs from Pont d’Austerlitz and will come to a halt at the Pont d’Iena, before this evening’s grand finale which will be set against the iconic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower.
As is tradition, Greece will be the first nation to enter the Parade of Nations and Team GB, led by flagbearers Tom Daley and Helen Glover, will appear in 72nd place.
Competing at his fifth Games since Beijing, gold-medal winning diver Daley revealed it was a ‘dream come true’ to be given the honour of flying the flag for Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Legendary British rower Glover, meanwhile, said: ‘I never thought I would be an Olympian! Being part of history as a flagbearer, I haven’t really got my head round it yet.
‘Everyone I have told so far has cried, and I cried when I was told, which goes to show how much of an honour it is and how much it means.’
More to follow.
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