Paris Olympics open with a floating parade

More than 10,000 athletes sailed across the Seine River in a 3.5-mile parade Friday, kicking off the 2024 Paris Games with a spectacular open-air ceremony that showed off the exuberance of this year’s competitors and the majesty of the surrounding French landmarks.

The procession of boats, flags and joyous athletes was beamed to screens around the world. The broadcast also featured various song-and-dance acts, including a cabaret routine by Lady Gaga, a performance by Mali-born pop star Aya Namakura, a tribute to the French can-can style and an homage to “Les Misérables.”

Meanwhile, a masked figure — an apparent nod to the original version of “The Phantom of the Opera” — darted across the rooftops of Paris with the Olympic torch held aloft. Here are some photo highlights from the most ambitious opening ceremony in the 128-year history of the modern Olympiad.