With the rain and the Seine River acting as the city's lifeline, the French obsession with music, dance, colour, fashion, and literature held sway. On Friday night, the XXXII Olympic Games began with a ground-breaking Opening Ceremony that featured all the peasants associated with a magnificent occasion.

Elements from the nation's scientific accomplishments found a home in the mash-up of arts, culture, literature, fashion, and film in the Opening Ceremony, which was divided into eight sections that represented the pillars of France's motto: equality, synchronicity, liberty, nationalism, sisterhood, solidarity, etc. The event started with representatives from Greece leading the athletes from nearly 200 countries in the Parade of the Nations on boats on the river.

PV Sindhu & Achanta Sharat flag-bearers

For the Paris Olympics 2024, India have sent a 117-member contingent, that would be led by flag-bearers badminton star PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, and table tennis veteran Sharath Kamal at the Paris 2024 Parade of Nations. Both will become the first from their respective sport to be India’s flag-bearers at an Olympic Opening Ceremony.

The Indian contingent passed through the centre of Paris on a boat, led by P.V. Sindhu and Achanta Sharath Kamal, and that was the magical moment for everyone watching the event on television at home or in makeshift stands.

As the boat glided past the main stands and monuments on the riverbank, the members of the Indian contingent enthusiastically waved at the spectators and got loud cheers in response.

Lady Gaga brings drama to the boat-party

With a captivating performance that set the tone for more electrifying acts to follow in what is anticipated to be a nearly three-hour celebration honouring the French heritage, literature, and culture, it was American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga who got hearts racing. The crowd who had gathered along the riverbank since the afternoon erupted in cheers as the international celebrity performed the French classic "Mon truce en plume" by Zizi Jeanmaire.

As the boats continued to float on the Seine, around 80 artists from the Moulin Rouge performed a famous French cabaret dance, the 'can-can'.

Heavy rain lashed opening ceremony

Though heavy rains lashed Paris as the ceremony started, spectators were forced to take shelter, but no one was ready to leave the venue and miss the once-in-a-lifelong ceremony.

For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, the opening ceremony is taking place outside the main stadium and along a river. This has taken away the restrictions of limited seating and some 300,000 people were watching in person from specially built stands on the riverbank, and another 200,000 from overlooking balconies and apartments.

Over 100 International dignitaries attended

Led by the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, both of whom were introduced at the Trocadero, over 100 international dignitaries, including heads of state and government and their representatives, was in attendance to witness the ceremony.

Also present among the spectators were international stars like tennis legend Rafael Nadal while swimming legend Michel Phelps led one of the sections of the Olympic Ceremony.

Bridge decorated with famous Art Works

As the athletes sailed past the Pont Royal Bridge, famous French artworks from the Louvre, painstakingly recreated, lined the sides of the Seine to watch over them. There were five artworks -- Portrait of Madeleine, painted by Marie-Guillemine Benoist in 1803; Gabrielle d’Estrees and One of Her Sisters, originally produced around 1594; Relief of Seti I and Hathor; Portrait of Shah Abbas I and His Page; and Georges de la Tour’s The Card Sharp with the Ace of Diamonds.

The Parade of the Nations ended with Australia, hosts of the 2032 edition of the Games at Brisbane, and the United States of America, host of the next edition of the Summer Olympics in 1928 in Los Angeles bringing the rear along with hosts France.

Meanwhile, the spectators were shown the visuals of the Olympic torch making its way to the Opening Ceremony with celebrities, artisans, athletes and a Parkour artist taking it over the rooftops and another torchbearer taking it over the river in a balloon.