The Olympic Games 2024 have commenced with a breathtaking opening ceremony. The City of Lights dazzled with a four-hour spectacle honouring art, culture, and sport, paying tribute to its sports legends.

The grand finale of the Olympic Torch Relay on Friday showcased an array of international and French sports icons, guiding the torch past the Musée du Louvre and through the Tuileries Garden towards the magnificent aerial Olympic cauldron.

Among the international stars were fourteen-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal, nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis, five-time Olympic champion Nadia Comaneci, and four-time Olympic gold medalist Serena Williams.

France’s torchbearers included four-time NBA champion Tony Parker, three-time Olympic champion Michael Guigou, two-time Olympic champion Clarisse Agbegnenou, and Olympic champion Laure Manaudou.

However, it was the second-to-last torchbearer who captured the hearts of everyone: Charles Coste, an extraordinary 100-year-old former Olympian. Coste’s presence at the ceremony served as a poignant reminder of the enduring spirit of the Games. As he gazed upon the Olympic Torch and passed its flame to the final torchbearers Teddy Riner and Marie-José Pérec, it marked a significant moment for the legendary French cyclist.