The Olympic torch is transported by boat over the Seine and toward the Trocadero by the Spaniard and the American.
There was a lot of tennis during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, which brought to mind Coco Gauff, the flag-bearer for the United States, as well as LeBron James, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams, who carried the Olympic flame to the last torchbearers.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) July 26, 2024
The Olympic torch was passed from former soccer sensation Zinedine Zidane to Rafael Nadal, who authored the most significant chapters of his incredible career in Paris and won Roland Garros 14 times.
On a boat that also held two other athletes whose names need no introduction: Nadia Comaneci and Carl Lewis, Rafael Nadal then handed the baton to another tennis icon, Serena Williams.
Zinedine Zidane passes Rafael Nadal the torch at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Two legends on their sports. What a moment #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/hzloCHltzV
— Eurosport (@eurosport) July 26, 2024
An athletes’ ideal team, in fact. Then, the torch in the name of tennis was handed to Amelie Mauresmo, the current director of Roland Garros and a past champion of the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
The tennis events begin today at 12 p.m. with a highly intense schedule that includes Novak Djokovic, the doubles combination comprised of Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal, Naomi Osaka, and Iga Swiatek on the court from the very first day.
An opening ceremony for the Olympics that was distinctly unprecedented, featuring around a hundred heads of state and a march of representatives from the participating countries along the Seine. In its first part, Lady Gaga’s performance at the Paris Olympics commenced with the boat of Greece, the country that founded the games. She greeted everyone in attendance. The Olympic Games are now officially open, according to French President Emmanuel Macron, and medals will be awarded for the first time today.