Stunning photos from the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics

The Olympic Games opening ceremony gives the host nation the opportunity to dazzle the world with a spectacular and unique show.

The opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics did just that – organizers ditched the traditional ceremony, and became the first Games to hold opening ceremonies inside an entire city rather than a stadium.

Thousands of athletes and artists celebrated their sporting festival along the River Seine on a rainy evening, before the night sky and the Eiffel Tower were lit up in dramatic, dramatic colours, creating a unique and highly ambitious spectacle.

Here are some of the most eye-catching photos from that night.

After a three-month journey from Greece to Paris, the Olympic flame was handed over to former French footballer Zinedine Zidane, before being passed on to tennis stars Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams.

In an epic climax, French judo great Teddy Riner and sprinter Marie-Josée Perec used the Olympic flame to light a cauldron that powered a massive hot air balloon.

Then, the giant glowing balloon flew over the city of Paris, marking the beginning of the greatest show on Earth.

The opening ceremony began with a spectacular display of colored smoke resembling the French flag rising over the Austerlitz Bridge.

Fans and spectators were enthusiastically present, and for the most part were not deterred by the rainy weather.

French President Emmanuel Macron was watching the event alongside International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was also seen watching the ceremony, and he appeared to be well prepared for the rain.

The ceremony was attended by a number of celebrities, including American singer Ariana Grande, accompanied by her British colleague Cynthia Erivo in the series Wicked.

As expected, the city witnessed a heavy security presence, with tens of thousands of police deployed throughout the city.

Throughout the event, a mysterious masked torchbearer ran and parkoured through the city streets and on the rooftops of riverside houses.

Fleets of combined boats, comprising countries from all over the world, sailed down the Seine, proudly flying their flags.

British diver Tom Daly and rower Helen Glover carried the flag for Team UK.

The event featured elaborate performances of all kinds, from Lady Gaga, cabaret artists, ballet dancers, acrobats to a finale from Celine Dion, a distant figure on stage halfway to the Eiffel Tower.