French panache dampened.by rain and ambitious route

Paris 2024 always knew its idea for the opening ceremony was "crazy" but a relentless downpour yesterday evening ensured a damp start to the Olympics with many bewildered by its format.

- JACK RATHBORN

Spectators scattered along the Seine, rather than packed into the Stade de France, meant a frustrating viewing experience too.

And as Paris 2024 meandered through 12 tableaux of this floating parade, president Emmanuel Macron's words proved rather prescient.

Clearly craving an idyllic sunset and starlit sky in the City of Light alongside its River Seine backdrop, Paris left many wondering why it swerved from the conventional format.

"It seemed to be a crazy and not very serious idea," Mr Macron remarked on Monday. "But we decided it was the right moment to deliver this crazy idea and make it real."

He may privately concede it was a stupid idea after a relentless spell of rain tested the viewer's enthusiasm for its cultural adventure.

Those braving the elements cheered as Zinedine Zidane grabbed the Olympic torch inside the Stade de France before dashing across the streets of Paris to catch the metro. The short film included a power outage underground with the legendary footballer passing on the torch to a group of kids to plot their way through the pitch-black catacombs and the city's famous underworld.