(NEXSTAR) — The Paris Olympics kicked off in grand French style on Friday, with major skyline displays, light shows, views of the Seine River and, unfortunately, drizzly weather.
The ceremony began with French soccer star Zinedine Zidane carrying the Olympic torch through Paris. Cauldron (Although it looks like a hot air balloon) it flies through the night sky.
For those who missed the day and night festivities, here are some of the most eye-catching photos from the day.
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TOP SHOT – Athletes from the Greek delegation sail in a boat along the Seine during the start of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Emmanuel Dunant/AFP) (Photo by Emmanuel Dunant/AFP via Getty Images) -
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: A torchbearer runs across the Pont Neuf during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) -
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Tightrope walker Nathan Paulin performs during the Athletes’ Parade on the Seine River near the Eiffel Tower during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Pool/AFP) (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) -
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Former French footballer Zinedine Zidane carries the Olympic torch during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Loic Venance – Pool/Getty Images) -
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: (Editor’s note: This handout screenshot was provided by a third party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy.) This handout screenshot released by the Olympic Broadcasting Service shows singer Celine Dion performing at the Eiffel Tower during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on July 26, 2024. (Screenshot by IOC via Getty Images) -
TOP SHOT – Smoke rises near a window as performers take part in the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo: Bernat Almanguet/Pool/AFP) (Photo: Bernat Almanguet/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) -
TOP SHOT – American singer Lady Gaga sings in the Surrey Bridge area ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Emmanuel Dunant/AFP) (Photo by Emmanuel Dunant/AFP via Getty Images) -
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: A full view of the Eiffel Tower adorned with the Olympic rings during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Luis Robayo – Pool/Getty Images) -
TOPSHOT – Heavy metal musicians from the band Gojira perform during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Zhang Yuwei/Pool/AFP) (Photo by Zhang Yuwei/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) -
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Dancers are photographed performing French cancan choreography as one of 12 artistic tableaux from aboard the Brazilian delegation boat sailing down the Seine River during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Carl de Souza-Pool/Getty Images) -
PARIS, FRANCE – 26 JULY 2024: Cutouts of faces are seen in the Seine River during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Pool/AFP) (Photo by Hannah Peters/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) -
Spectators cheer from a bridge as athletes from the French national team sail in a boat along the Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Frank Fyffe/Pool/AFP) (Photo by Frank Fyffe/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) -
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: US Team athletes Coco Gauff and LeBron James in a boat on the Seine River during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) -
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Spain’s Rafael Nadal carries the Olympic Torch during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stephanie Lecoq – Pool/Getty Images) -
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, spectators holding Palestinian flags hold up banners criticizing Israel from a balcony during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Neil Elias – Pool/Getty Images) -
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Teams Tunisia and Turkey are seen on a boat on the Seine River during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Pool/AFP) (Photo by Steph Chambers/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) -
The Eiffel Tower is illuminated during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo: Ludovic Marin/Pool/AFP) (Photo: Ludovic Marin/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) -
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26, 2024: French National Gendarmerie NCO Floriane Isser (center) leads volunteers on horseback carrying the Olympic team flag over the Pont d’Iena during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. The Eiffel Tower is visible in the background. (Photo by Ludovic Marin – Pool/Getty Images) -
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26, 2024: A detailed view of the Olympic cauldron floating in the sky behind the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and the Louvre Pyramid after being lit by torchbearers French athlete Marie-Josee Perec and French judoka Teddy Riner (not pictured) during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julien Finney/Getty Images) -
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Dancers perform on a rooftop during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) -
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: (Editor’s note: This handout screenshot was provided by a third party organization and may not comply with Getty Images’ editorial policy.) Smoke in the colors of the French flag rises from the Pont d’Austerlitz as boats sail along the River Seine during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on July 26, 2024. (Photo by David Burnett/IOC via Getty Images) -
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: A balloon carrying the Olympic cauldron is photographed concluding the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony in Paris, France on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The 2024 Paris Olympics will run until Sunday, August 11th.
