The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris has been nothing short of a show. Taking place in France's capital city, Paris, the event culminated in a historical first and a stellar performance by French-Canadian singer, Celine Dion.
Processions of the opening ceremony included the Parade of Nations along the River Seine, a performance by Lady Gaga, and reports of a mysterious hooded figure carrying the Olympic flame across the rooftops of Paris.
The ceremony led up to the historical moment of the Olympic cauldron's ceremonial lighting.
In a historical first, the cauldron was lit and sent off above Paris in a hot air balloon, by French judo great Teddy Riner and sprinter Marie-Jose Perec.
The torch made its way across Paris throughout the procession of events, landing in the hands of 100-year-old Charles Coste, the oldest French Olympic champion. Coste passed the cauldron on to Riner and Perec, who then lit the flame that floated into the Paris night sky, reports Advanced Press (AP).
