The opening ceremony is a chance for Olympians to shine even before the medal chase has begun.

We usually get to see athletes sporting some incredible fashion - both good and bad - as they walk through a stadium but tonight they are restricted to a boat travelling along the River Seine.

Competing nations have already begun releasing outfits. Among them, Team Mongolia's ivory-coloured ceremonial garments have gone down particularly well.

BBC Sport has rounded up a non-exhaustive list of some of the most memorable outfits from recent opening ceremonies - and looked at highlights of the countries' Games campaigns.

As we wait to see what is on offer later this evening, let's take you through some of those amazing outfits from years gone by.

James FitzGerald
BBC News reporter at the Trocadéro

I'm sat in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, where the boats are heading this evening as part of the opening ceremony.

As some famous faces including Rebecca Adlington and Sir Chris Hoy start to arrive on the red carpet, final preparations are being made in the stands as punters start to take their places.

A member of venue staff is kind enough to wipe my seat of rainwater only for the heavens to open a short time later. C'est la vie...

Tom Brown
BBC Sport Wales on the Team GB boat

Image source, Tom Brown

It’s all a bit lonely on the Team GB boat at the moment. But in an hour it’ll be packed with Olympians ready for an experience they’ve never had before.

The only concern? Those very dark clouds above. The rain has just started falling.

Steve Parry
Olympic bronze medal swimmer on BBC Radio 5 live

I remember being at the Olympics in 2000, it was being hosted in Sydney and there was a real buzz around the pool. You were like ‘What’s going on here?’.

Then you saw the secret service agents and the President of the United States comes in.

Another time at the Olympics I met Tony Blair, he just bowled in. Politicians and celebrities, it doesn’t matter who they are, people want to come and see what this amazing celebration of sport is all about.

Harry Poole
BBC Sport in Paris

Just under two hours to go until the opening ceremony gets started but everyone is keen to get in to position on their respective bridges as quickly as possible.

A few drops of rain have just started to fall. Uh oh.

Julien Laurens
French football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

Paris feels very excited.

Today we heard Tony Estanguet say 'the world has come here to see Paris and we will give them Paris straight away in this opening ceremony'.

British duo Rebecca Adlington and Sir Chris Hoy will be providing punditry for BBC Sport with American Michael Johnson over the next few weeks but it's a watching brief for them tonight.

Between swimmer Adlington, cyclist Hoy and sprinter Johnson, do we have our dream triathlon team?

They boast a combined 12 Olympics gold medals between them.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, EPA

Now, that's an impressive range of Olympic pin badges. Lots of stories to tell, I suspect!

Image source, Reuters

Artistic director of the ceremonies Thomas Jolly has signed up 3,000 performers - including musicians and 400 dancers on bridges - though he's remained tight-lipped about who the famous names are.

It has been suggested that French-Malian R&B star Aya Nakamura could be among the musical acts, as the world's most-streamed French-language artist.

That remains unconfirmed, and has proven unpopular with the French far-right, which has argued that her music owes more to Africa and the US than to France. Nakamura was prompted to reply to one group: "What do I owe you? Nothing."

There's been some speculation that Canadian star Céline Dion - who sings in French and English - could perform, after she was seen in the French capital earlier this week. Again, nothing is confirmed, but a performance would represent a comeback for Dion, who cancelled shows after revealing in 2022 that she had a rare neurological condition called Stiff Person Syndrome.

Lady Gaga (pictured) has been spotted in Paris going through her routine on some stairs along the River Seine, so we can be pretty confident that she is going to feature. But any Daft Punk fans hoping to "get lucky" with a performance from the French duo were left disappointed when the act shot down any rumours they'd take part.

Image source, Getty Images

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport in Paris

As spectators begin to take their seats and photographers look for the best position along the banks of the Seine they are being treated to a show on the big screen with dancers and singers getting the party started over in Saint Denis, near the Stade de France.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Reuters

Keep your eyes peeled for sporting superstars among the athletes' contingent.

But we also expect to see celebrities and dignitaries of all sorts in the crowd, with more than 100 heads of state and government due to attend, according to Reuters.

US First Lady Jill Biden was seen earlier this week with member of Team USA and has been pictured today with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte.

Elizabeth II appeared at the London 2012 curtain-raiser - and not just in her filmed appearance with Daniel Craig.

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport in Paris

The BBC Sport Paris team are dotted around the city as we build up to the greatest show on earth.

Here is the view from our colleagues over in social media, who are positioned near the BBC TV studio.

I mean it’s not bad is it.

Image source, BBC Sport

The river has eyes...

Image source, Reuters

Hugh Schofield
BBC News, Paris

The ceremony and the Games are unaffected by all of this [travel disruption], it's just a great big blow to morale, to the image of the Games and to the smooth-running of this first day.

Image source, Getty Images

There have been rumours swirling about which stars could be performing at tonight's opening ceremony.

Well, it seems the cat is out of the bag and I can't keep my Poker Face any longer... Lady Gaga will be involved.

She has been out practising her set and it seems the Paparazzi managed to get a snap.

Amy Lofthouse
BBC Sport in Paris

Image source, BBC Sport

When you’re close to the River Seine, it’s full Olympics. People everywhere, plenty of toy Phryges, flags flying.

In the back streets, it’s a little different. Much quieter, with people getting bits and bobs before the shops close early for the opening ceremonies.

There are some small signs of the Games - bunting and a few bars showing the build-up to the opening ceremony - but it feels almost peaceful after walking through the throngs on their way towards the water.

BBC Sounds

Wherever you are today you can take the Olympics with you on 5 Live and BBC Sounds. Listen on the go via the BBC Sounds app, with live coverage everyday including all the GB medal moments.

You can also listen on your smart speaker, just ask your device to “play Radio 5 Live”.

Harry Poole
BBC Sport in Paris

“Bonne ceremonie!”

This volunteer is bringing the energy, dancing away as he helps point spectators in the right direction with his foam hand.

It very much feels like the calm before the storm by the River Seine, with fans slowly filtering through once they have passed through security.

Everyone here will be hoping to avoid an actual storm this evening of course. Let’s all just ignore the weather forecast for now…

American singer John Legend and his wife Chrissy Teigen have arrived at the Trocadero ahead of the opening ceremony.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Two-time swimming gold medallist Rebecca Adlington has been talking about Team GBs hopes of returning from Paris with a successful medal haul.

"I think this is one of the most exciting Team GBs we’ve had." Adlington said.

"We're in an amazing position to win medals and everyone is super excited - this one feels different and special.

"Medals will come flooding in, certainly in swimming. I think we can get close to Tokyo if not better it.

"My advice would be take this as a standalone Games. Tackle it. None of this being worried about America etc winning the medals - scrap that! We’re Team GB we’re going to fight!"