The Olympics kick off: the lit brazier has taken flight

The Olympics kicked off: the lit brazier took flight

The lighting of the Olympic brazier officially kicked off the Paris 2024 Olympics. The last two torchbearers were sprinter Marie-José Pérec and judoka Teddy Riner: the tripod after being lit took flight, towed by a hot air balloon. Before the lighting of the brazier there's been a long relay race, which started with Zinedine Zidane and involved such sports hallowed monsters as Rafael Nadal, Carl Lewis, Serena Williams and Nadia Comaneci.

Then many French athletes participated in the relay: Amelie Mauresmo, Toni Parker and Laure Manadou were among the last torchbearers. In the background, the splendid light effects of the Eiffel Tower.

Concluding the evening was a performance by Canadian star Celine Dion, who è returned to sing for the occasion after 4 years.

Earlier, the Olympic oath of the French flag bearers, Florent Manaudou and Mélina Robert-Michon, was held, while Emmanuel Macron officially opened the Games.