Olympic Opening Ceremonies 2024: Social Media Reacts to Celebration in Paris (2024)

Olympic Opening Ceremonies 2024: Social Media Reacts to Celebration in Paris (1)

François-Xavier Marit - Pool/Getty Images

Let the 2024 Paris Olympics begin.

The Games are officially open following Friday's Opening Ceremonies, which dazzled audiences with music, performances, a historic boat parade, a visually stunning torch cauldron in a hot air balloon and even Celine Dion singing at the Eiffel Tower.

The Olympic Games @Olympics

The Paris 2024 Olympic cauldron is lit! <br><br>Sorry, THE PARIS 2024 HOT-AIR BALLOON OLYMPIC CAULDRON IS LIT! 🤯 🔥 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpeningCeremony?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OpeningCeremony</a> <a href="https://t.co/CIuS4RzfHD">pic.twitter.com/CIuS4RzfHD</a>

The Olympic Games @Olympics

Atlanta 1996 Paris 2024<br> 🤝<br> Céline Dion<a href="https://t.co/PHnt4JOUUd">pic.twitter.com/PHnt4JOUUd</a>

Emmanuel Macron @EmmanuelMacron

This is France!

Dan Wolken @DanWolken

This take will age well. A show so over-the-top it will never be equaled in our lifetime <a href="https://t.co/POs5YQ3vEp">https://t.co/POs5YQ3vEp</a>

American audiences surely tuned in to see Team USA, and basketball legend LeBron James and tennis star Coco Gauff led the group as the flag-bearers. They were far from the only notable names, as hundreds of athletes who will be competing for gold in the coming days were on the boat for the Red, White and Blue.

With such an ambitious Opening Ceremonies, there was plenty of reaction on social media from the athletes and others:

Team USA @TeamUSA

Leading the stars and stripes 🇺🇸<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBCOlympics</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/peacock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@peacock</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParisOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ParisOlympics</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpeningCeremony?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OpeningCeremony</a> <a href="https://t.co/Yxcgph2rsj">pic.twitter.com/Yxcgph2rsj</a>

Yahoo Sports @YahooSports

This picture is one for the books 😤 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Olympics</a> <a href="https://t.co/vW07TxhWhN">pic.twitter.com/vW07TxhWhN</a>

dawnstaley @dawnstaley

Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/CocoGauff?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CocoGauff</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KingJames?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KingJames</a>! Congrats on being our flag bearers! Btw yall look great? Hold the flag straight…no dipping. 🥰🥰🥰Permanent smile….you're not going to be able to anything else but smile because it is the coolest and most unreal feeling ever! Enjoy the moment! <a href="https://t.co/4agmTXhS9h">pic.twitter.com/4agmTXhS9h</a>

highlightHER @HighlightHER

🇺🇸594 athletes<br>🇺🇸46 states represented <br><br>Team USA 🇺🇸🔥 <a href="https://t.co/HN7pXGaqrm">pic.twitter.com/HN7pXGaqrm</a>

A'ja Wilson @_ajawilson22

thx <a href="https://twitter.com/StephenCurry30?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StephenCurry30</a> for the shades 🙂 <a href="https://t.co/f3MaJA9iPq">pic.twitter.com/f3MaJA9iPq</a>

Barack Obama @BarackObama

Good luck to all the athletes representing <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamUSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TeamUSA</a> at the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris this summer. You represent the best of the best in our country — and your talent, hard work, and determination make us proud. I'll be rooting for you all the way!

President Biden @POTUS

Our Olympic athletes are the reason so many of us believe we can do big things.<br> <br>Bring it home, <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamUSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TeamUSA</a>. <a href="https://t.co/XUOqcvhczj">pic.twitter.com/XUOqcvhczj</a>

Satchel Price @SatchelPrice

American icon <a href="https://t.co/wFAgClykeN">https://t.co/wFAgClykeN</a>

U.S. Women's National Soccer Team @USWNT

Happy <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpeningCeremony?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OpeningCeremony</a> 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/Htprd6Xg7h">pic.twitter.com/Htprd6Xg7h</a>

U.S. Women's National Soccer Team @USWNT

More like Marslayyyyyyy 💅 <a href="https://t.co/OAsyNTQkvZ">pic.twitter.com/OAsyNTQkvZ</a>

Team USA @TeamUSA

Selfie on the Seine featuring the women of <a href="https://twitter.com/usabasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@usabasketball</a> 🤳<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBCOlympics</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/peacock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@peacock</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParisOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ParisOlympics</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpeningCeremony?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OpeningCeremony</a> <a href="https://t.co/BUx6L865xB">pic.twitter.com/BUx6L865xB</a>

Team GB @TeamGB

Near, far, wherever you are... 😉<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpeningCeremony?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OpeningCeremony</a> <a href="https://t.co/xFbbCCk1y1">pic.twitter.com/xFbbCCk1y1</a>

Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 @JoshEberley

Noah Lyles trying to chat with Team USA basketball <a href="https://t.co/Qkf5Xp2lfW">pic.twitter.com/Qkf5Xp2lfW</a>

Katie Moon @ktnago13

Cleveland this is for you <a href="https://t.co/L5R0fRzWPP">pic.twitter.com/L5R0fRzWPP</a>

PFT Commenter @PFTCommenter

US Olympian Emma Navarro with a all time caption <a href="https://t.co/BGkL2GgzBM">pic.twitter.com/BGkL2GgzBM</a>

Yahoo Sports @YahooSports

Joel Embiid feeling patriotic 😂 <br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/TyHaliburton22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TyHaliburton22</a>) <a href="https://t.co/X2ESVfMH64">pic.twitter.com/X2ESVfMH64</a>

Team USA @TeamUSA

Trading with Team USA 🇺🇸<a href="https://twitter.com/StephenCurry30?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StephenCurry30</a> is all in on the pins.<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBCOlympics</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/peacock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@peacock</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParisOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ParisOlympics</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpeningCeremony?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OpeningCeremony</a> <a href="https://t.co/PgVfghLoik">pic.twitter.com/PgVfghLoik</a>

Nicole Auerbach @NicoleAuerbach

Watching the French delegation go nuts as the Eiffel Tower twinkles … chills. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Olympics</a>

NBC Olympics & Paralympics @NBCOlympics

She is HER. 💅 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParisOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ParisOlympics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/itsshacarri?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@itsshacarri</a> <a href="https://t.co/sXXxIMPf4R">pic.twitter.com/sXXxIMPf4R</a>

Giannis Antetokounmpo @Giannis_An34

Η μεγαλύτερη τιμή 🇬🇷🇬🇷🧿 <a href="https://t.co/xHAWs5SI8i">pic.twitter.com/xHAWs5SI8i</a>

Friday's ceremony was a historic one.

According to the Olympics' official website, it was the first Opening Ceremony for a Summer Games that did not happen in a stadium. Instead, the athletes rode along the Seine River on boats, which allowed far more spectators to be in attendance since the river runs through the center of the city.

The boat parade started with Greece and flag-bearer Giannis Antetokounmpo. Greece always starts the parade of athletes at the Opening Ceremonies as the birthplace of the Olympics, and that wasn't going to change just because it was along the river instead of inside a stadium.

It was just the start of quite the show.

NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA

Giannis Antetokounmpo makes history as the first Black flagbearer for Greece during the Opening Ceremony in Paris 🇬🇷 <a href="https://t.co/l0OgbMmzvT">pic.twitter.com/l0OgbMmzvT</a>

Taylor Twellman @TaylorTwellman

💥💥💥 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympicGames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympicGames</a> <a href="https://t.co/Am41936jjV">pic.twitter.com/Am41936jjV</a>

NBC Sports @NBCSports

Lady Gaga shines on the world's stage. 🌟 <br><br>📺 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParisOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ParisOlympics</a> Opening Ceremony on NBC and Peacock. <a href="https://t.co/xnriZIEKbV">pic.twitter.com/xnriZIEKbV</a>

NBC Sports @NBCSports

The torch is making its way around Paris by land, water, AND SKY! 😱<br><br>📺 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParisOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ParisOlympics</a> Opening Ceremony on NBC and Peacock <a href="https://t.co/oK0xVuQmsL">pic.twitter.com/oK0xVuQmsL</a>

The Olympic Games @Olympics

Wow! 😮 We've got goosebumps! Have you?<br><br>💙🤍❤️ From the roof of the Grand-Palais, a new and powerful version of the French National anthem is delivered by Axelle Saint-Cirel. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpeningCeremony?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OpeningCeremony</a> <a href="https://t.co/8ZbCnIqYWg">pic.twitter.com/8ZbCnIqYWg</a>

The Olympic Games @Olympics

Who's that mysterious figure holding the torch?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpeningCeremony?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OpeningCeremony</a> <a href="https://t.co/C2FQBqvJZl">pic.twitter.com/C2FQBqvJZl</a>

The Olympic Games @Olympics

Did you know that every Paris 2024 medal is adorned with a piece of original iron from the Eiffel Tower! 🏅🗼<br><br>Tonight, we stop by the workshops where they were created. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpeningCeremony?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OpeningCeremony</a> <a href="https://t.co/7wW8JGEZjn">pic.twitter.com/7wW8JGEZjn</a>

The Olympic Games @Olympics

A representation of Olympic spirit and a call for peace and solidarity takes shape in the form of a horsewoman galloping across the Seine. 🕊️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpeningCeremony?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OpeningCeremony</a> <a href="https://t.co/ocsLCdRpJc">pic.twitter.com/ocsLCdRpJc</a>

The Olympic Games @Olympics

💙💛🖤💚❤️<br><br>The Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpeningCeremony?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OpeningCeremony</a> <a href="https://t.co/XNoJYAM2NF">pic.twitter.com/XNoJYAM2NF</a>

Colorful red, white and blue smoke to match the French flag billowed off one of the bridges, performers danced along the river and Lady Gaga sang and played the piano on one of the city's outdoor staircases all while the torch went on a journey that included video of soccer legend Zinedine Zidane running it through the streets before it was ziplined from one building to another.

Throw in a heavy metal mashup of Les Miserables, a seemingly endless supply of pyrotechnics, the torch going through the Louvre and a red carpet tribute to Parisian fashion on one of the bridges, and Paris made its mark.

claire de lune @ClaireMPLS

a heavy metal moment complete with flame cannons and blood confetti was not on my bingo card but i am THRILLED

Mike Golic Jr @mikegolicjr

this opening ceremony is a fever dream

bomani @bomani_jones

one thing about paris: it will not be outdone.

DraftKings @DraftKings

Describe the Paris Olympics <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpeningCeremony?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OpeningCeremony</a> in one word ‼️ <a href="https://t.co/sQFiSpbAVU">pic.twitter.com/sQFiSpbAVU</a>

J.A. Adande @jadande

The torch carrier as soon as the opening ceremony is over <a href="https://t.co/cml5tirfnA">pic.twitter.com/cml5tirfnA</a>

All of this happened as the boats—many of which carried multiple countries depending on the size of the delegations—continued to sail down the river. The boat parade concluded with the French boat sailing through as the home nation celebrated and the Eiffel Tower sparkled.

That was far from the end, though, as the representation of a horse carrying the Olympic flag galloped along the Seine as highlights from previous famous moments of the Games played. From there, the flag was carried into the Place du Trocadéro ahead of the performance of the Olympic anthem.

It all built toward the memorable lighting of the cauldron.

Zidane handed the torch to Rafael Nadal, who took it and joined Olympics legends Serena Williams, Carl Lewis and Nadia Comăneci on a boat that sailed the river in the reverse direction of the athlete boat parade.

From there, French athletes including Amélie Mauresmo and Tony Parker ran it through the city and past the Louvre to light the cauldron in a hot air balloon as Dion sung below the Eiffel Tower for a dramatic conclusion.

Olympic Opening Ceremonies 2024: Social Media Reacts to Celebration in Paris (2024)
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