Lady Gaga performed a classic French cabaret song at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, held near Notre-Dame cathedral. The US pop star’s appearance was kept secret by organizers, but speculation arose when she was seen in Paris.
During the ceremony, athletes were cheered by the crowd along the Seine despite the pouring rain, and dancers performed on the rooftops of Paris.
The competitors were transported on a fleet of barges along a 6 km stretch of the river, passing some of the city’s most famous landmarks. Performers also recreated sports featured in the Games on floating platforms.
This ceremony was unique as it took place outside a stadium for the first time, posing significant challenges for security operations.
This complexity was further compounded by a sabotage attack on the high-speed TGV rail network, which caused travel disruptions across France.
