Indian contingent stole the show when they entered the Parade of Nations for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024 on Friday. Flagbearers PV Sindhu and Sharath Kamal led the team India on a boat at the Seine River as Paris kicked off the 33rd Summer Games with an unprecedented event.
Watch Indian contingent at Paris Olympis 2024 Opening Ceremony:
Greece were the first to make an appearance on a boat followed by South Africa in the opening batch at Parade of Nations. The Indian contingent was slotted 84th with fans eagerly waiting for the 78-member team along the Seine River.
The ace badminton player PV Sindhu and table tennis veteran Sharath Kamal held the tri-colour flag high as the rest of the Indian athletes appreciated the crowd for their cheers and support ahead of the opening day of sporting events.
Some Indian stars, including Neeraj Chopra, were missing the parade as the athletics team is yet to arrive in Paris. India will begin their campaign on Friday with the men's hockey team, star shuttler Lakshya Sen and the veteran tennis player Rohan Bopanna will be in action.
Meanwhile, the hosts displayed their culture and history with various artistic performances on the banks of the Seine. The star American singer Lady Gaga dazzled fans followed by French pop star Aya Nakamura.
The Parade of Nations concluded with the United States of America, the most successful team in the Olympics history and the French contingent making last entries with a loud cheer from the fans. The legendary LeBron James returned to the Olympics after 12 years and was the USA's flagbearer along with tennis star Coco Gauff.
The opening ceremony event concluded with French Olympic medalists Teddy Pierre-Marie Riner and Marie-Jose Perec lighting up the traditional Olympic Cauldron. The Canadian singer Celine Dion wrapped up a memorable event with a popular French song L'Hymn to Love by Edith Piaf.
