Olympique..magnifique

Dance stars, Gaga, flotilla.. opening night river delight

- JEREMY ARMSTRONG

OLYMPIC fans have never Seine anything like it as the first ever opening ceremony took place on water last night.

A flotilla of 85 boats carried 6,800 athletes from 205 nations along the Paris river, as an array of dancers and singers performed along its banks.

Lady Gaga delighted the crowds by wearing a black basque for a stunning gig supported by burlesque-style dancers. About an hour into the ceremony the heavens opened, dumping the equivalent of 15 days of rainfall, 25mm, in three hours, and athletes and fans alike were drenched.

But that did not dilute the excitement of the evening as crowds were delighted by the various performers and antics of the teams.

Team GB flagbearers, Tom Daley, 30, and Helen Glover, 38, had them chuckling as they re-created the “flying” scene on their boat from 1992 movie Titanic, where Leonardo DiCaprio clasped Kate Winslet at the front of the stricken ship.

Diver Tom stuck his arms out over the bow while rower Helen grabbed him around the waist.

The athletes, many of them in waterproof ponchos, were cheered on by a host of celebrities, including Ariana Grande, Serena Williams, ex- Chelsea star Didier Drogba and basketball icon LeBron James. Also in the crowd were the likes of Queen Latifah, Snoop Dogg, Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee and Charlize Theron.

Keir Starmer showed true British grit as he applauded our athletes with no waterproof clothing, while surrounded by poncho-wearers.