Olympics 2024 opening ceremony Highlights: Sharath Kamal, PV Sindhu fly the IND flag in the parade

This will be the first time when a parade of nations will not take place in a stadium but on the Seine River. Check Paris Olympics 2024 opening ceremony live updates and live streaming details here.

2:58 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Celine Dion wraps up the opening ceremony

Famous singer Celine Dion wraps up the Paris Olympics 2024 in some fashion with her melodious voice, standing at the Eiffel Tower.

2:56 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Olympic cauldron lights up Parisian sky

French Judoka Teddy Riner, who hasn't lost a match in ten years, has just released a balloon that’s now drifting into the Parisian sky. It's a stunning sight.

2:48 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: French athletes carry the iconic Olympic Torch

French athletes got the Olympic torch from Rafael Nadal as they jog on to ignite the Olympic flame as the showers continued in the beautiful city of Paris.

2:30 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: French president Emmanuel Macron declares the Games open

French president declared the Olympic Games open which was followed by French legendary footballer Zinedine Zidane taking the Olympic torch and passing it on to Tennis legend Rafael Nadal on the stage.

2:23 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: IOC president Thomas Bach addresses the athletes

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach addresses the crowd and the athletes, emphasising on the brilliant effort by the organising committee in Paris. 

2:08 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Fillipo Grandi awarded with Olympic Laureate

A member of the UNHCR organisation, Fillipo Grandi has been awarded the Olympic Laureate, a distinction given by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Fillipo was awarded for his work towards the Refugee Olympic Team which has taken part in the Games over the years and helped many refugees.

2:03 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Olympic flag flies high in Paris

The Olympic flag has been hoisted at the final stage of the opening ceremony with the Olympic anthem being played in the background.

1:52 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: The flags make way to the final stage

As the performances ended, the Olympic flag carried by a mechanical horse was seen galloping across the Seine River. All the flags of the participating nations also made way to the final stage in front of the Eiffel Tower.

1:40 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Dance of diversity

As the boats carrying the athletes made their way to the final stage, a dance of diversity took place in one of the stages built on the Seine River.

1:28 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: France end the long boat parade

Last but not the least, the French contingent finally came into view and was greeted by a long cheer by the crowd who will be cheering for their sporting heroes throughout the tournament.

1:12 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Where will all the boats go to?

The boats carrying the athletes will navigate around the two central islands of Paris, Ile Saint Louis and Ile de la Cite, before passing beneath various bridges and gateways. Athletes aboard the parade boats will have views of several official Games sites as well, such as Parc Urbain La Concorde, the Esplanade des Invalides, the Grand Palais, and finally, the Iéna bridge, where the parade will halt before concluding at the Trocadéro.

1:02 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: In come Pakistan with their contingent

The Pakistan contingent arrived in their boat and were led by javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem who is a familiar figure for Indian fans. He will competing against Indian javelin thrower and Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra as well.

12:54 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Fashion show for the crowd above the Seine River

Known for its fashion and food, the city of Paris included a fashion show amidst some heavy rain in the French capital in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. 

12:42 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Sharath and Sindhu raise the Indian flag among the Paris rain

Here's a photo you would not like to miss for sure! Indian flag bearers Sharath Kamal and PV Sindhu enjoying the boat parade among the Paris rain.

12:28 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Tribute to all the great women in the world

The opening ceremony built beautiful statues of French women who have led the fight for women in the world and contributed in making the world a better place alongside the route of the Seine River.

12:22 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Spanish legend spotted among the audience!

One of the members of the Spanish contingent, Tennis maestro Rafael Nadal was seen taking one of the balconies to enjoy the boat parade with his family rather being on it.

12:17 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: India arrive at the Paris Olympics in some fashion

The moment we've all been waiting for! The boat carrying the Indian athletes arrive to the scene with PV Sindhu and Sharath Kamal flying the Indian tri-colour high. Only 78 members of the Indian contingent are present on the boat.

12:08 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: It's raining in Paris!

The rain gods have also shown their appreciation on the proceedings as rain continues in the French capital. Some of the athletes were also captured wearing rain coats on their scenic boat rides.

12:04 AM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Big performances continue in Paris

Malian-French singer Aya Nakamura gave a stunning performance after the marching band escorted her onto the stage. She performed her blockbuster song - Hype for the crowd and the fans all over the world.

11:55 PM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Mysterious figure appears with the torch

A mysterious figure has been running along the buildings of Paris with the iconic Olympic torch in his hand. It will be interesting to see who it turns out to be.

11:47 PM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Special performance at the Notre Dame

The ceremony showed a special dance performance around the restoration of the Notre Dame which got caught in a huge fire a few years back in 2019.

11:40 PM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Medal winners to take French history along with them

Interesting fact! Medal winners at the Paris Olympics will each have a tiny piece of the iconic Eiffel Tower in their medal which shows the creative and unique initiative by the organisers.

11:37 PM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: China enter the parade with their big contingent

China entered the fray with Table Tennis great Ma Long leading the contingent which is poised to take up one of the top three spots in the rankings.

11:33 PM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: People watching from their balconies as teams cross the 6km route

People in Paris have gathered in their balconies to witness the iconic ceremony in the French capital

11:16 PM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: India's chef de mission Gagan Narang speaks ahead of campaign

Gagan Narang: It's an absolute honour to attend the opening ceremony. All the athletes are excited to be here, especially the first-timers. I've never attended too many opening ceremonies because we had competitions the next day but I'm just telling the athletes to be in the moment and enjoy it. When I was an athlete, I never gave a number of medals that we'd win. Now we've done whatever we could, and it's now up to the athletes. 

11:10 PM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Greece begins the boat parade as ceremony begins

Greece begins the opening ceremony boat parade on the Seine River after a water curtain under the bridge amazed the fans.

11:05 PM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Long time coming for Paris!

With Paris hosting the Olympic Games this year, it is after 100 years that the French capital will host the iconic sporting event. It was in 1924 that France hosted the Games last time. 

10:53 PM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Ceremony is moments away as athletes get on the boats

The Paris Olympics opening ceremony is just moments away as the athletes are onboard on the Seine River for the floatation process.

10:40 PM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Multiple celebrities arriving for the special event in Paris

From John Legend to Serena Williams, the opening ceremony is witnessing a lot of celebrities joining in for the special event in Paris. The opening ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11 PM.

10:29 PM

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Flag bearers speak ahead of the ceremony in Paris

Both of India's flag bearers Sharath Kamal and PV Sindhu spoke ahead of the scenic boat ride in the opening ceremony on the Seine River.

Sharath Kamal: A great honour, not just for myself, but especially for the table tennis fraternity. It's quite a moment. It's a great recognition from the IOA. I have visualised this moment for a long time. But now here we are. 

PV Sindhu: It's my third Olympics, it's a one-time opportunity to be a flag-bearer at the Olympics. It's a very proud moment. Representing my country, holding the flag, I'm really really looking forward to it.