With a groundbreaking Opening Ceremony under constant rain, the French officially announced the start of the 33rd Olympic Games on Friday 26th July.
This was the first time in history that an opening ceremony was not held at the Stadium but featured thletes and officials cruising along the Seine River with Paris’ iconic landmarks as a stunning backdrop for the parade of nations.
The torrential rain that hit the ceremony could have dampened the spirits of all taking part, but in true Maltese fashion, Team Malta took it all with a strong dose of positivity and embraced the moment with loud cheers and big smiles.
The Opening Ceremony was attended by more than 85 leaders of state and governments down in the torrential rain, but also more than 300,000 spectators from the riverbanks, where there are about 80 giant screens along the way.
Flag bearers for Malta were Gianluca Chetcuti (Shooting) and Sasha Gatt (Swimming)
Team Malta in Paris is supported by Sport Malta, NDSF, APS Bank, National Lottery, Olympic Solidarity and KM Malta Airlines
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Rafael Nadal of Team Spain holds aloft the Olympic Torch during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: A view of the Olympic Cauldron in the sky after being lit by Torch bearers French Athlete Marie-Jose Perec and French Judoka Teddy Riner (not pictured) as the Eiffel Tower is seen lit in the background during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: A general view of the Olympic Cauldron in the sky after being lit by Torch bearers French Athlete Marie-Jose Perec and French Judoka Teddy Riner (not pictured) during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: A Light Show takes place as The Olympic Rings on the Eiffel Tower are illuminated during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Place du Trocadero on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: A Light Show takes place as The Olympic Rings on the Eiffel Tower are illuminated whilst spectators watch on during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Place du Trocadero on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: A Light Show takes place as The Olympic Rings on the Eiffel Tower are illuminated whilst a spectator holds an umbrella during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Place du Trocadero on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Team Mali, Team Malta and Team Morocco are seen on a boat on the River Seine during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Torchbearers run during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 26, 2024. (Photo by Xia Yifang – Pool/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: An air show is staged during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 26, 2024. (Photo by Wang Dongzhen – Pool/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Lights show is staged on the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 26, 2024. (Photo by Cheng Min – Pool/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This Handout screengrab was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy.) This handout released by the Olympic Broadcasting Services, shows an aerial view of the cauldron, with the Olympic flame lit, lifting off while attached to a balloon backdropped by the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Torchbearers are seen at the Louvre Museum during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 26, 2024. (Photo by Xia Yifang – Pool/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Lights illuminate the Eiffel Tower during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Luis Robayo – Pool/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: A general view shows the Eiffel Tower with illumated wings in the foreground during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Luis Robayo – Pool/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Athletes of Team Malta and Team Morocco wave national flags as they cruise along the River Seine during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Team Malta and Team Morocco are seen on a boat on the River Seine during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Team Mali, Team Malta and Team Morocco cruise during the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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- PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: The Horsewoman, wearing the Flag of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is seen on a Metal Horse on the River Seine during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)
