Best Moments of the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

The 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony was one for the books.

Despite the downpours in Paris, the City of Light was aglow with talent and excitement for the Summer Olympics, as well as for the star power present: In addition to the planet's best athletes, we also had some of the world's biggest pop culture figures, including Céline DionSnoop DoggLady Gaga and Aya Nakamura—plus a mystery torchbearer parkouring around Paris and a giant silver horse riding down the River Seine.

Here are the most viral moments from the Paris Olympics opening ceremonies.

Related: How to Watch the Olympics on TV, Cable, Online, Roku, for Free

Best Moments from the 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony

Céline Dion's glorious comeback

This handout released by the Olympic Broadcasting Services, shows a view of singer Celine Dion performing on the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Gameson July 26, 2024.<p>Handout/Getty Images</p>
This handout released by the Olympic Broadcasting Services, shows a view of singer Celine Dion performing on the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Gameson July 26, 2024.

Handout/Getty Images

Céline Dion made an amazing comeback performance of "Hymne à L’Amour." It's her first performance since revealing her diagnosis of stiff person syndrome in 2022, and it brought the house down (and audiences to tears).

The River Seine celebrating France

The red, white and blue is for France's national flag colors, but we'll pretend it's for Team U.S.A., too.

Team U.S.A.'s rain-soaked arrival

Team United States of America and flagbearers Coco Gauff and Lebron James during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games on July 26, 2024<p>John Walton - PA Images/Getty Images</p>
Team United States of America and flagbearers Coco Gauff and Lebron James during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games on July 26, 2024

John Walton - PA Images/Getty Images

Flag bearers LeBron James and Coco Gauff rocked ponchos as the Team U.S.A. boat pulled into the Seine. James quipped to NBC Sports, "Rain can't stop us!"

Team U.S.A.'s festive fashion

Tara Davis-Woodhall wears glasses with the Olympics rings next to Steph Curry during the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Paris on July 26, 2024.<p>Pool/Getty Images</p>
Tara Davis-Woodhall wears glasses with the Olympics rings next to Steph Curry during the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Paris on July 26, 2024.

Pool/Getty Images

Tara Davis-Woodhall and Steph Curry showed their spirit in style.

Related: What Do the Olympic Rings Symbolize?

The light show

The Eiffel Tower is illuminated during a light show during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games on July 26, 2024.<p>Hector Vivas/Getty Images</p>
The Eiffel Tower is illuminated during a light show during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games on July 26, 2024.

Hector Vivas/Getty Images

A light show takes place at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Place du Trocadero on July 26, 2024.<p>Hector Vivas/Getty Images</p>
A light show takes place at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Place du Trocadero on July 26, 2024.

Hector Vivas/Getty Images

The City of Lights was lit up even brighter for the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony.

France's G.O.A.T. soccer star makes an appearance

Former French soccer player Zinedine Zidane holds the torch during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on July 26, 2024.<p>Matthew Stockman/Getty Images</p>
Former French soccer player Zinedine Zidane holds the torch during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on July 26, 2024.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Zinedine Zidane clutched the Olympic torch. In terms of the proverbial torch, almost no French players have been able to even hold a candle to him on the soccer field since his retirement.

Related: 7 Gym-Bag Essentials To Help You Go for the Gold, According to 3x Olympian Dominique Dawes

The silver 'horse'

Floriane Issert, wearing the Flag of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is seen on a metal horse on the River Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Game on July 26, 2024.<p>John MacDougall - Pool/Getty Images</p>
Floriane Issert, wearing the Flag of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is seen on a metal horse on the River Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Game on July 26, 2024.

John MacDougall - Pool/Getty Images

There are few things cooler than this metal horse that "rode" down the River Seine.

Related: 36 Easy Gold Medal Winning Olympic Recipes For Your Paris 2024 Watch Party

Aya Nakamura goes for the gold

Aya Nakamura performs during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024.<p>Pool/Getty Images</p>
Aya Nakamura performs during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024.

Pool/Getty Images

French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura performed reworked versions of her hits "Djadja" and "Pookie" with the French Republican Guard orchestra and a choir from members of the French army.

Lady Gaga's 'Thing With Feathers'

On the heels of the first full trailer for Joker: Folie à Deux, Lady Gaga performed "Mon Truc en Plumes (My Thing With Feathers)," and it was as camp as you'd expect from Mother Monster.

Related: 5 Things You Didn't Know About Lady Gaga

Snoop Dogg as torch bearer

If anyone knows how to light up a party, it's this guy. From his crip walk at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2021 to this, we need Snoop at every possible sports event. He really is, genuinely, a whole vibe.

Related: Snoop Dogg's Net Worth and How He Made It

Snoop Dogg and Hoda Kotb dancing to Lady Gaga's performance

It's giving us life, honestly.

The mystery torchbearer

A torchbearer carries the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony for the Paris Summer Olympics on July 26, 2024.<p>ZHAO DINGZHE/Getty Images</p>
A torchbearer carries the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony for the Paris Summer Olympics on July 26, 2024.

ZHAO DINGZHE/Getty Images

Honestly, if the Assassin's Creed film adaptation were just following this guy around while he did parkour around Paris, it would've been a blockbuster.

Next, TODAY Stars Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker and Craig Melvin on What They Consider To Be the ‘Very Essence of the Olympics’