Top weirdest and best moments from the Paris Olympics 2024 Opening Ceremony ft. upside-down Olympic Flag hoisting

By Animesh Pandey

Modified Jul 27, 2024 10:44 GMT

The Paris Olympics officially commenced on 26 July, with the Opening Ceremony conducted alongside the Seine River instead of at the main venue, Stade de Paris. For the first time in more than a century, the opening ceremony was conducted outside the main stadium.

In both style and content, the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympics was a roller coaster of a ride. While some moments were unforgettable, especially when French soccer legend Zinedine Zidane handed over the Olympic flame to Rafael Nadal, some were unprecedented and gave a glimpse of the weird side of the quadrennial Games.

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Top weirdest and best moments from the Paris Olympics 2024 opening ceremony ft Upside down Olympic Flag hoisting

The weirdest moments from the Paris Olympics opening ceremony

#3) The Parade of Nations in drizzling conditions

Turkey at the Parade of Nations during the Paris Olympics [Image Source: Getty]

The Parade of Nations during the opening ceremony was maybe the first sign that something was not right. Though it wasn't raining cats and dogs, organizing the opening ceremony when it's drizzling isn't exactly a great idea, especially when the health of athletes is at stake.

#2) Gojira's weird tribute to the French Revolution

Gojira performing during the opening ceremony of Paris Olympics [Image Source: Getty]

The Paris Olympics Opeing Ceremony was to display the cultural wonders of France, and rock band Gojira decided to do so in their inimical style with an act that paid tribute to the French Revolution.

However, during the act, they took things a bit too far in the weird direction when they displayed the decapitated head of Marie Antoinette, who was the queen of France when the French Revolution had taken place.

#1) The Olympic flag hoisted upside down!

The Olympic flag being hoisted at Paris Olympics 2024 [Image Source: Getty]

While the Parade of Nations in rainy conditions and the weird act by Gojira could be ignored to some extent, what couldn't be ignored at all was the flag hoisting ceremony, one of the most important parts of any opening ceremony, and especially so of the Olympics.

During the flag hoisting ceremony, the organizers hoisted the Olympic flag upside down. It took minutes for everyone to realize the error, and by that time, it was too late. This blunder got a lot of criticism on social media.

But the opening ceremony wasn't entirely forgettable. Here are some of the memorable moments as well:

The most memorable moments of the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

#3) Zinedine Zidane handing the Olympic flame to Rafael Nadal, Nadia Comaneci, and company

Zinedine Zidane handing over the Olympic flame to Rafael Nadal at the opening ceremony [Image Source: Getty]

One of the most iconic moments at the Paris Olympics' Opening Ceremony was when French ex-soccer player Zinedine Zidane handed over the Olympic flame to Rafael Nadal, the Spanish tennis star who has an Olympic gold medal in the men's singles, at the Beijing Olympics.

Nadal then passed it to Romania's gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci, who further handed it over to American superstars Serena Williams and Carl Lewis, who have earned Olympic honors in their own time in tennis and athletics, respectively. This was done with a clear message: sport knows no barriers.

#2) The Olympic cauldron in a hot-air balloon

The Olympic cauldron alight during the Paris Olympics [Image Source: Getty]

Another great aspect of the opening ceremony was the Olympic cauldron. This was one of the most memorable aspects of the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.

The Olympic cauldron for the opening ceremony was placed within an improvised hot-air balloon, and it was lit by Olympic gold medalists Teddy Riner and Marie-Jose Perec, who had won the gold medals for France in judo and athletics, respectively.

#1) Celine Dion's remarkable comeback

Celine Dion performing on the Eiffel Tower at the opening ceremony [Image Source: Getty]

However, perhaps the greatest highlight of the Paris Olympics' opening ceremony was the comeback performance of singing legend Celine Dion, known around the world for her song My Heart Will Go On from the Oscar-winning movie 'Titanic'.

Celine Dion is suffering from an autoimmune disorder called Stiff Syndrome Disorder. Yet, nothing could prevent her from delivering a memorable performance of Hymne a l'amour, a French song originally sung by Edith Piaf.