Paris Olympics 2024: Recap of the opening ceremony as the Games are underway with parade on River Seine

After successfully hosting the last Olympics in trying circumstances, Japan are all smiles in passing the baton over to the French.

The Australians are lapping up the Opening Ceremony atmoshere, posing for photos in front of the jam-packed crowd that lines the River Seine.

Australian medal hope and world tennis top 10 Alex De Minaur and coach Lleyton Hewitt arrive earlier on the team boat ahead of the ceremony.

Team Australia are onboard their vessel and making their long-awaited journey down the Seine.

Donning their green blazers with gold trimming, the Aussie team is waving the flag high in the air.

The creative culture of France is on full display with a makeshift runway for the nation’s leading designers within their vast fashion industry.

An array of wild and colourful costumes are making their way up and down the red carpet, supported strongly by crazy-dressed supporters on the side.

China were prepared for the wet conditions with ponchos on but proudly waved their vibrant red flags with passion.

Jakub Józef Orliński dressed as a jester is singing with perhaps the most angelic and soothing voice atop one of the floating pontoons that lines the Seine.

Axelle Saint-Cirel performed a beautiful rendition of the French national anthem standing tall over the city from the roof of the Grand-Palais.

The haunting sight of the masked torch bearer has been the common theme of the opening ceremony.

This guy has been everywhere and continues to keep the city of Paris guessing as to where they will turn up next!

A bunch of crafty minions have discovered the Mona Lisa which appeared to had gone missing temporarily.

The clumsy critters put their minds to the task and found the treasured peice of art which ended up floating along the Seine.