Team GB aim for gold as the Olympics officially begin in Paris

The games will officially begin tonight as the Opening ceremony takes place on the River Seine

Flag bearers Tom Daley and Helen Glover
Author: Chris MaskeryPublished 26th Jul 2024

Team GB will be hoping to set a new post-war record of 70 medals from a single Olympic Games as the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics officially gets underway tonight.

While some sports such as archery and rugby have already started preliminary rounds of their competitions, tonight sees the Opening Ceremony take place on the River Seine.

It's the first time the ceremony has taken place outside a stadium, instead, team delegations will set sail from the Austerlitz Bridge on a 6km journey through the centre of Paris to a unique finale close to the Trocadero.

Ticketed fans will have access to specially constructed stands on both sides of the river, while the ceremony’s conclusion will be beamed around the city via 80 giant screens.

Celine Dion and Lady Gaga rumoured for ceremony

Lady Gaga and Celine Dion are expected to star on the banks of the River Seine on Friday night as Paris prepares to defy over a century of Olympic tradition.

The duo are reportedly set to perform a version of Edith Piaf’s ‘La Vie en Rose’ as part of a glittering conclusion to the first ever opening ceremony to be staged outside a stadium.

Dion, who is French-Canadian, teased her appearance in a post on X, writing: “Every time I return to Paris, I remember there’s so much beauty and joy still to experience in the world. I love Paris, and I’m so happy to be back!”

Daley and Glover GB flag bearers

Olympic champions Tom Daley and Helen Glover will share flag bearing duties at the head of the Team GB contingent, marking the start of a Games at which they hope to set a new post-War record of 70 medals from a single Games.

The Olympics will run until Sunday 11th Aug 2024, with the Paralympics starting on the 28th August

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