Summary
French judoka Teddy Riner and sprinter Marie-José Pérec, a three-time Olympic gold medallist, light Olympic flame
Celine Dion then performs partway up the Eiffel Tower
Lady Gaga, Zinedine Zidane and the Minions among those involved in breathtaking performance
Diver Tom Daley and rower Helen Glover Great Britain's flagbearers
Watch: Rapper Snoop Dogg carries Olympic torch through Paris
Live Reporting
Bobbie Jackson, Michael Emons & Holly Bacon
Let the Games beginpublished at 22:45 26 July
22:45 26 July
Image source, ReutersThat was a journey but one well worth sticking with for just over four hours.
Organisers attempted to pull off something rather special and unique along the River Seine and I think they did a fantastic job.
Thanks for joining us and make sure you come back tomorrow when the 2024 Paris Olympics get in full swing.
Day one at the Olympicspublished at 22:44 26 July
22:44 26 July
Many will be itching to see the start of the sporting events. Here's a list of tomorrow's gold medal events - and a reminder that we'll be live on BBC One each day with the best of the action, while there's also a Red Button/BBC iPlayer extra stream. More details of our TV offering is here.
Saturday's gold medal events
Diving(women's synchro 3m springboard),fencing(women's epee, men's sabre),judo(women's -48kg, men's -60kg),road cycling(men's and women's individual time trial),rugby sevens(men's),shooting(mixed team 10m air rifle),skateboard(men's street),swimming(men's 400m free, women's 400m free, women's 4x100m free relay, men's 4x100m free relay).
A unique spectacle - now it's over to the athletespublished at 22:43 26 July
22:43 26 July
James FitzGerald
BBC News reporter at the TrocadéroThe weeks, the months - the years - of planning all led to that unique finale of Céline Dion singing atop the Eiffel Tower.
Her comeback performance capped off a remarkable, joyful spectacle that stretched several kilometres along the River Seine.
As the athletes filtered into the Trocadéro viewing area, it was plain to see how much this moment meant to them, as they gleefully took pictures and danced.Yes, they were rain-soaked - but far from "misérable" as the evening of famous French tunes played out along with a light show.
And what a relief it must have been for Emmanuel Macron, after today's railway sabotage, not to mention long-running question marks over how the security of such an ambitious and high-stakes event could be guaranteed.
Sporting royalty, a boat procession and even a hot air balloon torch - tonight it was artistic director Thomas Jolly who lit up Paris with his tradition-smashing spectacle.
From tomorrow, it's over to the athletes.
Day one at the Olympics - highlightspublished at 22:43 26 July
22:43 26 July
And here's the highlights to look out for on day one in Paris.
Road cycling’s time trial is a chance for Josh Tarling to get Team GB’s Olympics off to a flying start. The 20-year-old won the European title last year and is considered a contender in the men’s event, which for the first time at an Olympics uses the same course as the women’s, taking in sections of forest alongside Paris monuments like the Louvre and Eiffel Tower. The women’s time trial featuring GB’s Anna Henderson, a European silver medallist, starts at 13:30 with the men’s event at 15:34.
In the swimming, Saturday night brings a hotly anticipated three or even four-way contest in the women’s 400m freestyle (19:55). US legend Katie Ledecky lost to Australia’s Ariarne Titmus in 2021 and Titmus won last year’s world title, too, while Canadian 17-year-old Summer McIntosh is the world record-holder. New Zealand’s Erika Fairweather is also expected to do well. The Brits have a shot at a medal in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay (20:37). Adam Peaty will be competing in the 100m breaststroke heats (10:00).
GB divers Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen go in the women’s 3m synchro from 10:00. They won world silver in 2023 behind China.
Men’s rugby sevens is already on its final day. France will be hoping Antoine Dupont, who skipped the Six Nations to prepare for this, can lead the hosts to a famous title at the Stade de France. The final is at 18:45.
Great images from the 'greatest show on earth'published at 22:40 26 July
22:40 26 July
Image source, Getty ImagesImage source, ReutersImage source, Getty ImagesImage source, Getty ImagesImage source, Rex FeaturesImage source, ReutersPostpublished at 22:39 26 July
22:39 26 July
Eleanor Oldroyd
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 LiveIt was so romantic. Every moment was romantic, Paris is a romantic place as we know.
The way it finished with the Eiffel Tower lit up and just that glorious music.
Watch Lady Gaga's performance at the Paris 2024 opening ceremonypublished at 22:39 26 July
22:39 26 July
An appearance from pop superstar Lady Gaga was heavily rumoured and the American was even pictured in Paris before the ceremony.
We didn't have to wait long for the 13-time Grammy award winner to grace us with a song.
'Even the rain could not ruin it'published at 22:36 26 July
22:36 26 July
Julien Laurens
French football expert on BBC Radio 5 LiveI don't think I've ever been so proud to be Parisian after this tonight and we knew it was going to be special and unique because it had never been done before but to see the city like this, even the rain could not ruin it.
Watch Zidane carrying the Olympic torch through Parispublished at 22:36 26 July
22:36 26 July
Let's begin just as the opening ceremony did, with France football legend Zinedine Zidane carrying the Olympic torch before it was taken by a masked individual.
We never did discover who that person was, rather frustratingly.
Here's the video clip that got us all started.
Postpublished at 22:34 26 July
22:34 26 July
And with that stunning performance the Paris 2024 opening ceremony comes to a close.
Shall we take a look back at some of the best moments and what is to come on day one of the Games?
Celine gives a powerhouse performance after health problemspublished at 22:33 26 July
22:33 26 July
Ian Youngs
Entertainment and Arts Reporter, BBC NewsImage source, Getty ImagesCeline Dion's performance on the Eiffel Tower was her first since she revealed a serious healthcondition in 2022 - and she thrilled the crowds with a typical powerhouse vocal.
TheCanadian superstar had been widely expected to sing a duet with Lady Gaga, but instead went solo to bring the opening ceremony to a climax.
Dion'slive comeback came a year and a half after she was forced to curtail her worldtour following a diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS). It's a rare neurological disorder that causes muscles to spasm and had affected her voice.
She has been havingtherapy to “rebuild” her voice, as she told the BBC last month, in order to perform again - and on this evidence it has worked.
Dion caps off evening's spectaclepublished at 22:31 26 July
22:31 26 July
James FitzGerald
BBC News reporter at the TrocadéroWhat a way to make a comeback by Céline Dion - you'll remember that she cancelled her upcoming shows after revealing in 2022 she had a rare neurological condition called Stiff Person Syndrome.
A powerful performance that gripped the spectators where I'm sat. Or, rather - stood, now.
get involved Get involvedpublished at 22:31 26 July
22:31 26 July
#bbcolympics, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)
Image source, EPAIs that balloon going to stop rising? Bonkers show but genius way to showcase the Olympic flame.
Mo
Postpublished at 22:31 26 July
22:31 26 July
Only one song but Celine Dion does not disappoint.
A very emotional rendition of Hymne A L'Amour brings the house down.
get involved Get involvedpublished at 22:27 26 July
22:27 26 July
#bbcolympics, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)
Finally the icon Celine Dion is performing.
Alex
Watch the Eiffel Tower light show during opening ceremonypublished at 22:27 26 July
22:27 26 July
One of the most spectacular moments of an incredible opening ceremony has been the lights show at the Eiffel Tower.
Postpublished at 22:26 26 July
22:26 26 July
Image source, Getty ImagesHere is the moment you've all been waiting for... Celine Dion!
And not just Celine Dion but Celine Dion on a stage midway up the Eiffel Tower.
Postpublished at 22:24 26 July
22:24 26 July
Alistair Bruce-Ball
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 LiveThere is a sparking orange glow and an incredible circle of flame that lifts and engulfs that entire Olympic cauldron.
Postpublished at 22:24 26 July
22:24 26 July
This is incredible.
I thought the hot air balloon was just for show but it rises high into the Paris sky.
What a sight.
Postpublished at 22:23 26 July
22:23 26 July
Image source, Getty ImagesFrench judoka Teddy Riner and sprinter Marie-José Pérec, a three-time Olympic gold medallist, are the chosen two.
They stride up to the cauldron, which is below a hot air balloon and lower their torches in tandem.
