Alert – Paris 2024 Olympics – Opening ceremony LIVE: Lady Gaga and Zinedine Zidane light up French capital as athletes sail along River Seine in historic parade – News Alerts

17:56

Follow along Daily Mail's live coverage of the opening ceremony below!

By Ed Carruthers

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

17:53

'One of the greatest honours of my career'

By Ed Carruthers

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.’

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: Thomas Daley, Flagbearer of Team Great Britain, poses for a photograph taken by Helen Glover, Flagbearer of Team Great Britain, with the Flag of Team Great Britain on a boat during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: (L-R) Thomas Daley of Team Great Britain, Mark England, Chef de Missoin of Team GB, and Helen Glover of Team Great Britain pose for a photo during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: Thomas Daley, Flagbearer of Team Great Britain, looks on during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

17:52

A performance from Lady Gaga!

By Emily Cooper

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.

What else did we expect?

Lady Gaga rehearsing along the Seine ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France. Picture date: Friday July 26, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: John Walton/PA WireRESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

BGUK_2985735 - Paris, FRANCE - The American Singer Lady Gaga performs during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on the Seine River in Paris, France. Pictured: Lady Gaga BACKGRID UK 26 JULY 2024 BYLINE MUST READ: BEST IMAGE / BACKGRID UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com *Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*

17:48

Serena Williams watches on

By Emily Cooper

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.

Paris 2024 Olympics - Opening Ceremony - Paris, France - July 26, 2024. Former tennis player Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian are seen ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics. REUTERS/Phil Noble

17:46

The refugee Olympic team comes next

By Ed Carruthers

The refugee boat 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.

Meet the full team here!

Meet the Olympics team you did NOT know about

The inaugural team represented 60 million displaced people around the world. According to the UN, that figure has since skyrocketed to over 100 million, inspiring the team's slogan 'one in 100 million'.

Mail Online

17:42

Austerlitz bridge lit up with the French flag

By Emily Cooper

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…

Paris 2024 Olympics - Opening Ceremony - Paris, France - July 26, 2024. Smoke in the colours of the France flag are set off, at the start of the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Bernat Armangue/Pool via REUTERS

17:42

Here come the first of the athletes!

By Ed Carruthers

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.

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: Athletes of Team Greece wave handheld national flags on a boat prior to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

17:38

Emmanuel Macron and Thomas Bach have arrived to the VIP tent

By Emily Cooper

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

And there is no leak in site…

Emmanuel Macron, President of France, alongside Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Picture date: Friday July 26, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Joel Marklund/Pool//PA WireRESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

17:35

So here we go the opening ceremony has begun!

By Ed Carruthers

Big cheers go up amid the crowd around the banks of the River Seine, as a video clip begins on the big television screens around the river.

Up pops France football legend Zinedine Zidane who takes the Olympic torch from a gentleman inside a stadium and runs off with the torch through the streets of Paris and into the Paris metro!

A reminder, there has been no dress rehearsal for this event, so let’s wait to see what happens next!

Paris 2024 Olympics - Opening Ceremony - Paris, France - July 26, 2024. Athletes of Bhutan ahead of the opening ceremony. Pool via REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

epa11497521 Spectators wait for the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in Paris, France, 26 July 2024. EPA/MOHAMMED BADRA

Spectators wave French national flags while waiting at the Seine river front in Paris, France, for the start of opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: Antonio Guterres (L), Secretary-General of the United Nations, French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and Thomas Bach (C), President of International Olympic Committee (IOC) gesture prior to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Place du Trocadero on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

epa11497520 Spectators wearing the colors of the US wait for the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in Paris, France, 26 July 2024. EPA/MOHAMMED BADRA

17:31

Sir Keir Starmer in the house!

By Ed Carruthers

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.’

Paris 2024 Olympics - Opening Ceremony - Paris, France - July 26, 2024. Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer sits in the stands ahead of the opening ceremony REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

17:26

ANDY MURRAY: 'With this being my last tournament, I want to make the most of it'

By Ed Carruthers

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.’

Great Britain's Andy Murray during a training session at Roland-Garros Stadium, Paris. Picture date: Thursday 25th July. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: Andy Murray of Team Great Britain reacts prior to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

17:26

Who will light the Olympic cauldron?

By Emily Cooper

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.

Snoop Dogg carries Olympic torch ahead of opening ceremony in Paris

The rapper – famous the world over for his love of marijuana – carried the Olympic flame on a short run around the Stade de France, prompting memes from social media users.

Mail Online

SAINT-DENIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: US rapper, artist and designer Pharell Williams during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Torch Relay, on the day of the opening ceremony, on July 26, 2024 in Saint-Denis, outside Paris. (Photo by Stephane De Sakutin - Pool/Getty Images)

17:21

The Olympic ring of steel: Paris steps up security measures ahead of the games

By Ed Carruthers

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.

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: Police security checks before the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)

Members of the Raid (French police intervention unit) patrol on the Seine before the start of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - French gendarmes control members of the public as they access one of the spot near the Louvre Museum to attend the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

Armed guards patrol streets as Macron says Paris 'ready' for Olympics

The ring of steel operation will see security measures distributed across the entire city, instead of just at centralised venues like the London 2012 Olympics.

Mail Online

17:14

We're ready to go!

By Ed Carruthers

17:13

We're T-minus 20 minutes until the start of the opening ceremony!

By Ed Carruthers

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!

France's President Emmanuel Macron (L) and his wife Brigitte Macron (R) greet Libya's Presidential Council Chairman Mohamed Younis al-Menfi (C) on arrival ahead of a reception for heads of state and governments ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Valentine CHAPUIS / AFP) (Photo by VALENTINE CHAPUIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Paris 2024 Olympics - Opening Ceremony - Paris, France - July 26, 2024. Spectators wearing rain ponchos and using umbrellas in the stands ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Athletes of Israel take a selfie aboard a boat in the floating parade on the Seine River in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Nir Elias/Pool Photo via AP)

Athletes of Jamaica arrive to board their boat on the Seine River in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Nir Elias/Pool Photo via AP)

17:06

And here comes LeBron James!

By Ed Carruthers

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!

16:59

Here come the flag bearers!

By Ed Carruthers

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

16:57

So who is carrying the flag for Team GB tonight?

By Ed Carruthers

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.

Britain's rower Helen Glover (L) and Britain's diver Tom Daley pose with the British flag during the Team Great Britain Flag-bearer photocall at the British Embassy, in Paris, on July 24, 2024, ahead of the start of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. (Photo by Alex Pantling / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ALEX PANTLING/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

16:52

Leak in the VIP tent

By Emily Cooper

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 member of staff attempts to repair a leak in the roof ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Trocadero in Paris, in France. Picture date: Friday July 26, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Mike Egerton/PA WireRESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach arrives to attend the reception for heads of state and governments ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Images)

16:38

Ariana Grande arrives in the rain

By Emily Cooper

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.

Entertainer Ariana Grande arrives in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo arrive at the Trocadero ahead of the opening ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Picture date: Friday July 26, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Christophe Petit Tesson/Pool//PA WireRESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

16:25

The Olympic ceremony route!

By Ed Carruthers

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…

French police patrol on boats on the Seine river prior to the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Thomas Samson/Pool Photo via AP)

Members of the Raid (French police intervention unit) patrol on boats on the Seine river prior to the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP) (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)

16:17

The Olympic torch is nearly here!

By Ed Carruthers

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!

16:12

French airport evacuated due to bomb scare

By Ed Carruthers

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 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.’

France HUMILIATED by Olympics opening day disaster

Parisians have said that what should have been a 'very proud day for France', with the Paris opening ceremony later, has turned into one of 'sadness and annoyance' amid travel disruption.

Mail Online

16:01

France’s rail network comes to a halt after ‘massive arson attack'

By Ed Carruthers

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.

'Massive arson attack' brings chaos to Paris rail network

With just hours to go before the opening ceremony on the River Seine on Friday, fires were started at key installations, bringing trains to a halt.

Mail Online

15:59

The brollys are out…

By Ed Carruthers

Fans are slowly arriving at the banks of the River Sein ahead of the ceremony and many have taken note of the adverse weather warnings and have come dressed appropriately with ponchos!

I’ve spotted plenty of brollys popping up around the riverside, but let’s hope the rain holds off!

Paris 2024 Olympics - Opening Ceremony - Paris, France - July 26, 2024. Spectators hold umbrellas in the rain in front of the Eiffel Tower ahead of the Opening Ceremony REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki

This photograph shows a view of the Louvre Pyramid designed by Chinese-US architect Ieoh Ming Pei and a wing of the Louvre museum with tourists reflected in a puddle after the rain in Paris on July 9, 2024. (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY MENTION OF THE ARTIST UPON PUBLICATION - TO ILLUSTRATE THE EVENT AS SPECIFIED IN THE CAPTION (Photo by JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images)

Spectators in rain gear sit ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Loic VENANCE / AFP) (Photo by LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 23: Rain drops reflect the Eiffel Tower at the beach volleyball venue Champ de Mars ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 23, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

15:54

Is Macron's audacious Olympic ceremony set to be a damp squib?

By Ed Carruthers

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.

Is Macron's audacious Olympic opening ceremony set to be a damp squib?

Emmanuel Macron 's 'audacious' plans will see the River Seine used as the stage for a four-mile long procession, with athletes travelling on boats in front of more than 300,000 spectators.

Mail Online

15:46

Breaking:Flood warning issued to france

By Ed Carruthers

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.’

15:39

A world first!

By Ed Carruthers

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!

Mandatory Credit: Photo by JOEL MARKLUND/BILDBYRÅN/Shutterstock (14603991d) General view of Eiffel Tower Stadium and the Eiffel Tower when David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig of Sweden take part in a beach volleyball familiarisation session during day -1 of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 25, 2024 in Paris. Paris 2024 Olympics, day -1, Beach Volleyball, Sweden, Familiarisation, France - 25 Jul 2024 13675391

Security patrol the Seine River in Paris, France, ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Paris 2024 Olympics - Paris, France - July 26, 2024. Police boats patrol the Seine river in Paris, France, ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. Ricardo Mazalan/Pool via REUTERS

15:30

Good afternoon and welcome!

By Ed Carruthers

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.

FILE - The Olympic rings are set up at Trocadero plaza that overlooks the Eiffel Tower, a day after the official announcement that the 2024 Summer Olympic Games will be in the French capital, in Paris, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. After getting off to a rocky start last year, organizers of the Summer Games said Paris 2024 has broken the record for the most number of tickets sold or allocated in the event's history. And yet, tickets are still available. (AP Photo//Michel Euler, File)

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Key Updates

A performance from Lady Gaga!
Austerlitz bridge lit up with the French flag
Sir Keir Starmer in the house!
ANDY MURRAY: 'With this being my last tournament, I want to make the most of it'
The Olympic ring of steel: Paris steps up security measures ahead of the games
Leak in the VIP tent
The Olympic ceremony route!
French airport evacuated due to bomb scare
France’s rail network comes to a halt after ‘massive arson attack'
Flood warning issued to france
A world first!