Paris 2024 Olympics – Opening ceremony LIVE: Sodden Team GB make their entrance in historic parade along River Seine with Tom Daley and Helen Glover flying flag as Lady Gaga and Zinedine Zidane light up French capital

Follow along for Daily Mail’s live video coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympic Ceremony here!

Team GB have just made their way past the television cameras! They’re making a huge racket on their boat and they look like they’re lapping up every moment of the ceremony, even if it is pouring with rain.

The rain is absolutely pouring down and some of the athletes are sporting ponchos and coats, but they are doing little to stop them from getting wet. Spain are the next boat coming through here on a ginormous boat that they are sharing with Estonia.

No sign of Team GB yet. Meanwhile, David Coverdale has given his verdict on proceedings so far…

‘The French can only save this if they get Daft Punk back together…’ writes Coverdale.

On a side note, who is the mysterious figure running around the river with an Olympic torch?

While waiting for their turn to be announced as part of the opening ceremony, Helen Glover and Tom Daley share an intimate moment on deck.

Let’s hope the Team GB boat actually is unsinkable!

It’s safe to say this opening ceremony has been a bit… bizarre.

From the performers along the River Seine, to a metalcore rock band blaring music across the river, it’s been an interesting celebration to the opening of the Olympic Games.

Some have been left scratching their heads over the opening ceremony, while others just want to skip the pagentry and get to the sports.

Riath Al-Samarrai wrote: ‘Please, I just want to watch the hop, skip and jump!’

One Daily Mail reader wrote in the comments of this Live Blog: ‘So far, I am not impressed. The boat parade is very strange. As everyone is saying, it is very gray. Some of the athletes are holding on to the boat rails, looking a bit seasick. So far, there is no atmosphere whatsoever. The French will be getting Joseph-Ignace Guillotin ready for the people who suggested this show.’

Another added: ‘Hurry up Emerdale!’

‘This is so boring. They should have done it in a stadium,’ Another added.

Approximately 3,000 dancers, acrobats and actors are contribute to tonight’s opening ceremony, but as MailOnline reports, some are working for low wages – and even for free in some cases.

French trade unionists caused chaos a week out from the Olympics after dancers, signed up to perform, filed a strike notice citing that they were being unfairly paid.

A union representing the performers stated that some of the performers were working under ‘shameful conditions’.

We’ve had the can-can as well as a selection of songs from Les Mis, the opera Carmen and even French heavy metal band Gojira.

But viewers can’t help but notice the overwhelming sound of the rain?

While all athletes will be treated to a primetime cruise down the Seine, two from each delegation will fly their nation’s flag.

Let’s take a look at a selected few who will be waving theirs later tonight:

• Team GB: Tom Daley and Helen Glover

They’ve both won gold medalists at previous Games and they’ll be on the hunt for glory once again. Daley is the first diver to get the honour while Glover becomes the first woman rower, following Olympic icons Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent.m d

• Team USA: LeBron James and Coco Gauff

Two sporting superstars will carry the Stars and Stripes in Paris after NBA legend James and tennis grand slam champion Gauff were named the Team USA flag bearers for the opening ceremony.

• France: Mélina Robert-Michon and Florent Manaudou

This year’s homegrown heroes are Robert-Michon, a French discus thrower who won silver at the Rio Games in 2016 and is a national record holder while Manaudou, a swimmer, won gold in the 50m freestyle in London 12 years ago.

• China: Ma Long and Feng Yu

Chinese table tennis player Ma Long and artistic swimmer Feng Yu will carry China’s flag in the French capital. Ma, who has claimed three team golds and two singles titles in previous Olympic Games, will be making his fourth Olympic appearance in Paris, while Feng lead the artistic swimming team to silver in Tokyo in 2020.

• Jamaica: Shanieka Ricketts and swimmer Josh Kirlew

The country has been blessed with rapid sprinters but triple jumper Shanieka Ricketts and swimmer Josh Kirlew will fly the Jamaican flag at the opening parade. Ricketts is a two-time world champion while London-born Kirlew is participating in his first Olympics.

The person lighting the Olympic cauldron has been running in-and-out of view – along Parisan roofs, through a stage version of Les Mis and even zip-lining across the Seine.

Here come the delegations! They’re starting to file down the River Seine with South Africa, Germany and the Refugee Olympic team all making their way down the river.

‘Wonder what Danny Boyle makes of all this…’ writes our reporter David Coverdale.

Meanwhile, Riath Al-Samarrai believes ‘all the feathers and interpretive dancing can get in the Seine!’

But what do you think of Paris’ grand opening ceremony so far? Let us know in the comments!

When asked what being named as one of Team GB’s flagbearers meant to him, Daley said: ‘To be asked to be flag bearer is one of the greatest honours in my career.’

‘If my dad was around now, he would be so incredibly proud. He always said that you would know you have cemented your Olympic legacy if you are asked to be a flagbearer.’

The crowds have gone gaga for none other than Lady Gaga.

The American singer is performing Mon truc en plumes (in French!) on the bank of the River Seine alongside a host of well-dressed men carrying pink feather plumes.

Tennis superstar Serena Williams – who has four Olympic gold medals herself – has been spotted watching the opening ceremony with her husband Alexis Ohanian.

The couple are joined by their fittingly-named daughter Olympia.

The Refugee Olympic team is next out! The team will be competing for the third time at the Olympics having made their games debut in Rio in 2016.

The team represented 60million displaced people from around the world and according to the UN, that figure has since skyrocketed to over 100million.

The likes of Cindy Ngamba (boxing), Dorsa Yavarivafa (badminton) and Ramiro Mora (weightlifting) will represent the team, which is competing in events such as breaking, swimming and canoe sprint.

Pont d’Austerlitz has been lit up with the colours of the French tricolore.

Just in case you had any doubt as to where the Olympics are being held…

The first group of athletes are making their way through a shroud of smoke under the Pont d’Austerlitz bridge as fireworks pop off around them!

And it’s Greece! Greece are one of the teams who will have their own barge, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Antigoni Ntrismpioti flying the flag for the Greek team.

French president Emmanuel Macron has arrived to the VIP tent alongside International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.

And there is no leak in site…

Sir Keir Starmer has taken his seat ahead of the opening ceremony!

The Prime Minister stated that we shouldn’t let travel disruption earlier today ‘overshadow’ the opening ceremony.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said: ‘Obviously the situation is concerning, and like the statements you’ve seen from the French, it is also incredibly frustrating for people travelling to attend the Games and the Olympic ceremony.

‘The Prime Minister would urge people to continue to follow the travel advice and the statements from the travel operators.

‘The spokeswoman added: “Irrespective of this disruption, it is very clear that both in France, here and around the world, everyone is hugely excited and looking forward to what will be an incredibly successful Olympic Games, and we won’t let disruption overshadow that.’

Andy Murray will compete in his final tennis tournament at this summer’s Olympics and the three-time Grand Slam winner is looking to soak in every moment.

‘I’m loving it I always enjoyed coming to the opening ceremonies,’ he told BBC Sport as Team GB embarked their boat.

‘With this being my last tournament I want to make the most of it.

‘I’ve had amazing experiences at the Olympics the best weeks of my career and you want to make themost of it coming to the opening ceremonies and spending time with the other athletes. Work hard and enjoy yourself aswell.’

The individual with the honour of lighting the Olympic cauldron is still unknown.

Several names have been flying about. Will it be footballer Kylian Mbappé or perhaps French president Emmanuel Macron himself?

Whoever it is will become one of 11,000 torch bearers who have helped to bring the Olympic flame to Paris tonight.

Carrying the torch in Saint-Denis this morning was US rapper Snoop who delighted crowds with his gold high-top trainers.

Pharell Williams also had a go with the flaming torch.

So if you need to be an American rapper to qualify for the role of cauldron lighter… my bets are on Drake or Cardi B.

Emmanuel Macron has previously admitted that tonight’s ambitious opening ceremony does present some security risks, but organisers have stepped up security measures ahead of the games.

Around 300,000 spectators will turn out to watch tonight’s opening ceremony on the River Seine.

It seems there will be a large police presence in the French capital, throughout the games, with armed guards having been spotted patrolling the Parisian streets ahead of the games.

Metal barriers now line the Seine and 45,000 police officers have joined what is set to be a massive security operation.

Security forces will deploy drones, AI surveillance and helicopters after a surge in safety concerns for athletes, staff and members of the public.

Officers will be drafted in from 43 countries and 18,000 soldiers will also join the defence system.

And we’ve seen plenty of security forces around today ahead of tonight’s opening ceremony, with officers flying up and down the river in speed boats, while fans and spectators have had to undergo a rigorous security check prior to taking their seats.

Celebs, Olympians, delegates and fans are all arriving on the banks of the River Seine.

Athletes are set to board their boats on the Seine at 6.30pm BST and embark on their trip up the river.

President Macron has also been spotted among the arrivals.

The good news is that the rain seems to have died down a little!

LeBron James looked dapper in his Ralph Lauren jacket and tie. Alongside tennis icon Coco Gauff, the pair will carry the USA flag for tonight’s opening ceremony!

Incase you haven’t seen it, here’s the moment Gauff found out she was going to carry the flag for the USA at the opening ceremony – and her reaction is brilliant!

I can’t believe it! It’s been a long time coming. It’s so exciting seeing all the teams dressed up. It’s going to be fun – Tom Daley

The rest of Team GB will be right behind us and we’ll be proudly flying the flag – Helen Glover

Gold medalists, Tom Daley and Helen Glover were selected to carry the British flag at tonight’s opening ceremony.

They will follow past olympic greats to have also held the honour including Sir Chris Hoy, Katie Howey, Andy Murray and Sir Matthew Pinsent.

The news was revealed on Wednesday that the pair had been selected following a reception at the British Embassy in Paris last night, which was attended by Princess Anne and Mick Jagger.

‘To be asked to be flag bearer is one of the greatest honours in my career,’ said 30-year-old Daley, who is competing in his fifth Games.

Glover, 38, who is rowing in her fourth Olympics, added: ‘This is probably the biggest honour of my life.’

The diver and rower have won three Olympic gold medals between them. Daley has won four Olympic medals – one gold and three bronzes. He is set to be in action first on Monday in the 10m synchronised platform event with Noah Williams.

Glover has won gold in the coxless pair at London 2012 and Rio 2016. She will be in action as part of the coxless four in Paris and can become the first British mother to win a rowing medal.

It looks as though a worker is attempting to fix a leak in the roof of the VIP tent.

One seat directly below the leak is reserved for Thomas Bach – President of the International Olympic Committee.

Let’s hope he doesn’t mind a soggy bottom!

A string of famous faces have started to arrive for the opening ceremony including popstar Ariana Grande.

Dressed in a baby pink dress with delicate white gloves, Grande is clealry pointing to her role as Glinda in the upcoming Wicked movie – based on the musical of the same name.

Her co-star Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, is also in attendance wearing an emerald green gown and matching boater hat.

Tonight’s ceremony is set to last approximately three-and-a-half hours and will work in two stages.

First is the flotilla, which will see athletes and Olympic delegates traverse down the River Seine for 6km.

They’ll board their boats and embark from the Austerlitz Bridge, which is located beside the Jardin des Planets.

The flotilla will then set sail and travel west along the iconic river passing by some of the French capital’s world-renowned landmarks.

They’ll pass by the two islands in the centre of the river, the Ile Saint Louis and the Ile de la Cite – home to the Notre Dame Cathedral – before travelling up the river past some of the official Games venues including the Place de la Concorde, the Esplanade des Invalides and the Grand Palais.

The floating parade will end in front of the Eifel Tower and stop at the Palais du Trocadero before the ceremony’s grand finale.

Several ceremonial procedures will take place at the palace, with French President Emmanuel Macron set to deliver the opening remarks.

But there’s been plenty of security activity on the River Seine already today…

The Olympic torch began its journey to Paris on April 16 and is close to wrapping up it’s epic journey to the French capital.

Along the way, a whopping 11,000 torch bearers have carried the Olympic flame, including none other than American rapper Snoop Dog!

Amid the travel chaos that swept across the country earlier this morning, an airport located on the Swiss-French border was evacuated earlier today, following a bomb scare.

Basel-Mulhouse airport terminals were evacuated before being reopened, with flight operations ‘gradually restarting’.

‘For safety reasons, the terminal had to be evacuated and is currently closed,’ the Basel-Mulhouse EuroAirport said on its website.

Some Parisians have now shared their embarrassment following what’s been a chaotic Olympics opening day.

Hermance Bonjasson, 42, who spoke to MailOnline as she waited for a replacement train to take her to the Vendee on the Atlantic coast, said: ‘I’m embarrassed that the world see us like this. This should be a very proud day for France, not a day for sadness and annoyance.’

A chaotic morning has unfolded here in Paris after a ‘massive arson attack’ on Frances’ rail network last night.

Fires were started at key installations bringing trains to a halt with around 800,000 passengers affected by the disruption.

The Gare du Nord – the main Eurostar station in Paris where some Team GB athletes arrived last week – was hit by the attacks on the rail network according to a spokesperson for SNCF – France’s rail operator.

Services have been cancelled or delayed causing havoc among those looking to get to tonight’s opening ceremony – with 300,000 spectators expected as well as members of the public.

It comes after a 40-year-old man was charged with working ‘with a foreign power to try and incite hostilities in France earlier this week.

Transport minister Patrice Vergriete said that there had been a series of ‘coordinated malicious acts’ on Friday morning in the run up to the opening ceremony.

It’s been a bit of a chaotic morning in Paris.

While this is set to be one of the biggest events in Olympic history – and notably the first opening ceremony to be held outside of a stadium – travel chaos earlier today has threatened to cause several hiccups to the curtain raiser.

Meanwhile, showers and an ominous forecast are threatening to cast a dampener on tonight’s parade, with France’s meteorological office having just issued a flood warning.

We start off with a breaking bit of news this afternoon that could spell ‘disaster’ for the opening ceremony.

The French meteorological office, Meteo-France, is predicting ‘flooding rains’ on Friday evening, just as the opening ceremony is set to commence along the River Seine. The show is still set to go on as planned.

According to L’Equpe, the office issued a yellow alert and that flooding could take place from 8pm tonight.

Grey skies have been seen over Paris today, with light intermittent drizzle falling – but temperatures are expected to stay warm throughout the evening.

Approximately 25mm of rain is expected to fall between 6pm and midnight, which could spell a washout for Emmanuel Macron’s ambitious opening ceremony.

‘It’s going to be a disaster for these few hours,’ Marliere, the head of independent weather forecaster Agate Meteo, said on RMC radio.

‘I’ve been running models for two hours, going full circle, comparing all weather models, but unfortunately, everything is confirming this trend for the start and the end of this evening. We won’t be able to avoid it.’

The magnitude, logistics and sheer size of this event is truly extraordinary.

This will be the largest Olympic opening ceremony in the history of the games, with Olympic chiefs hoping to honour the City of Light through tonight’s ceremony.

It’s also set to be one busy evening too!

As I mentioned above, this will be the first time an opening ceremony at the games will take place outside a closed stadium with 160 boats set to make their way along the River Seine and stop outside the Palais du Trocadero.

Each national delegation will send their athletes in the boats along the river, with approximately 94 of the boats set to transport competitors along the 6km stretch of the Seine.

The remainder of the boats are set to host Olympic delegates and those who have paid for the privilege of sailing with the Olympians.

We’ll also be able to get a good glimpse of all the competitors on the flotilla, with each boat set to be fitted with television cameras, too!

Well, it’s finally here! The Olympic flame has arrived in Paris and we’re ready for a fortnight of sporting action!

While the Olympic Games are set to officially commence tonight following this evening’s opening ceremony, a host of events have already begun, including football, rugby sevens, archery and handball.

A total of 10,500 athletes from 206 countries around the world are due to attend tonight’s unique opening ceremony, which will take place on the River Seine.

This will be a first for the Olympics, with tonight’s curtain raiser being the first time an opening ceremony has been held outside of a stadium.

The event is due to commence at 6.30pm BST (7.30pm local time), but we’ll have all the latest updates, commentary and key talking points live here on Mail Sport.