The Olympics have begun. Friday evening witnessed the much-anticipated Opening Ceremony take place down the heart of the French capital officially kicking off the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

The opening ceremony of Paris 2024 lasted more than three and a half hours and followed a theatrical script about the history of Paris. Tradition and modernity came together in a story of diversity, equality, and emotion. The flame reached the cauldron and rose into the sky in a balloon after the final relay by Teddy Riner and Marie-Jo Perec.

Paris ushered in the 2024 Games Friday with a spectacular opening ceremony on the banks of the Seine, which was eventually flooded by rain. The event was an eclectic mix of art, sport and culture, creating an unforgettable spectacle that overcame unprecedented logistical and security challenges.

Tens of thousands of people were barred from the Paris 2024 opening ceremony after capacity was reduced in recent months. Under intense and constant rain, residents and tourists tried in vain to get through security checks in a strangely empty and orderly Paris, due to the extreme militarisation of its streets and skies.

The Oceania team's record for winning gold medals in a single day of competition is four, achieved at Tokyo 2020. On the first day following the Opening Ceremony at the 2024 Paris Olympics, they have multiple opportunities to match or even surpass this record, particularly in swimming.

Duncan Scott says he will have to swim faster than he ever has before to earn an individual Olympic gold. The three-time Olympian may be Britain’s most decorated Olympic swimmer, but Scott’s only gold medal is from the 4x200m freestyle in Tokyo 2020.

Skateboarding sensation Sky Brown will bid to become the first female Team GB star in history to win gold in two separate sports at the same Olympic Games when Los Angeles hosts the event in 2028.

At first glance, the logo for the 2024 Paris Olympics resembles the traditional flame introduced at the Amsterdam Games in 1928. However, a closer inspection reveals something entirely different.

Canadian soccer chiefs on Friday pleaded with FIFA not to deduct points from their women's Olympic football team as a drone-spying scandal led to head coach Bev Priestman being dramatically kicked out of the Paris Games.

They were dismissed for non-compliance with anti-doping rules, but eventually the CAS, the body that deals with the disputes surrounding the participation in Paris 2024, has allowed them to compete.

The official start of the Paris Games was possible despite a problem with the French rail network in the morning and the rain finally making an appearance at the opening ceremony.

R&B superstar Aya Nakamura, who was recently ardently defended by Emmanuel Macron along with show business personalities such as Carla Bruni, Benjamin Biolay and Patrick Bruel, took part in the Olympics Opening Ceremony Friday.

Excited spectators have reported early issues on the day of the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony including delays, long queues, and ticketing problems.

Rafael Nadal, the Spanish tennis legend, returns to the court that has been magical throughout his career, having won the Roland Garros tournament 14 times. He is set to compete in the men's doubles with Carlos Alcaraz. However, a thigh injury will unfortunately prevent him from participating in the singles event, marking his farewell to the Games in that category.

The Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony takes place this evening with a spectacular show expected along the River Seine in the French capital. Watch as 10,500 athletes, who have earned their place in sporting glory, parade past and the Olympic flame lights the cauldron in the Tuileries Garden.