James FitzGerald
BBC News reporter at the Trocadéro

Bach acknowledges that the world is "torn apart by wars and conflicts", before going on to quote some lyrics from classic John Lennon tune Imagine - heard here a bit earlier.

He continues by saying that Olympians show "what greatness we humans are capable of".

Image source, Reuters

More from Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee: "Dear fellow athletes. This is the pinnacle of your Olympic journey. You have come to Paris as athletes. Now you are Olympians.

"Stepping into the Olympic Village, you realise like generations of Olympians before: now I am part of something bigger than myself. Now we are part of an event that unites the world. In our Olympic world, there is no “global south” or “global north”. We all respect the same rules and each other. In our Olympic world, we all belong.

"As Olympians, we care for each other. We do not only respect each other, we live in solidarity with each other. All of you have experienced this and benefitted from our Olympic solidarity on your long journey to finally becoming Olympians. This solidarity is made possible through the generous support of all our Media Rights Holders and top partners. All together, we thank them and everyone who supported you on your Olympic journey.

"In a world torn apart by wars and conflicts, it is thanks to this solidarity that we can all come together tonight, uniting the athletes from the territories of all 206 National Olympic Committees and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team. Welcome to the best athletes of the world – welcome, Olympians."

James FitzGerald
BBC News reporter at the Trocadéro

Olympics chief Thomas Bach adds his own welcome, saying the Olympic flame will make Paris "shine even brighter".

What's in store is a "more inclusive, more urban, younger and more sustainable" Olympics, he says.

Image source, Reuters

Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, said: "Finally, the moment has arrived: welcome to the Olympic Games Paris 2024. My heartfelt thanks go to our gracious French hosts. Thank you for welcoming us in such a spectacular way. The Olympic flame will make Paris and all of France shine even brighter.

"We are deeply grateful to all our French friends. First and foremost to the President of the French Republic. All our gratitude also goes to the public authorities at all levels as well as the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, under the excellent leadership of my fellow Olympian, Tony Estanguet.

"You are bringing our Olympic Agenda reforms to life by making these Games wide open. All of us will experience Olympic Games that are more inclusive, more urban, younger and more sustainable – the first Olympic Games with full gender parity on the field of play.

"A special thanks goes to the thousands of volunteers. Thank you for your commitment. Your smiles make us fall in love even more with Paris and France. Our thanks also go to whole team of the Organising Committee, of the public services and to everyone who is contributing to make these Olympic Games an unforgettable experience. What better place than Paris, to share this magic of the Olympic Games with the whole world."

Now it's over to the president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach.

Wow!

Image source, Reuters

James FitzGerald
BBC News reporter at the Trocadéro

"Paris will give back to you," the Games president tells the athletes assembled here.

"It is the city of love. And for the next 16 days, it is your city."

Big cheers from the competitors gathered at the Trocadéro.

The Olympics cannot "solve every problem" in the world, Estanguet continues, but he says tonight shows how beautiful it is when "humanity comes together".

James FitzGerald
BBC News reporter at the Trocadéro

"We have put our heart into it," says Tony Estanguet, the Games president, as he addresses spectators at the Trocadéro.

He highlights that the idea of the modern Olympics was first proposed by Pierre de Coubertin in this very city.

Image source, Getty Images

More from Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 president: "This evening, we can all be proud of what we have already achieved together. And of course, I would like to thank you, the athletes.

"What a sight it is to see you all parading together. What a rare and precious moment you have given us. And even though the Games cannot solve every problem, even though discrimination and conflicts are not about to disappear, tonight you have reminded us how beautiful humanity is when we come together.

"And when you return to the Olympic Village, you will be sending a message of hope to the whole world: that there is a place where people of every nationality, every culture and every religion can live together. You’ll be reminding us of what’s possible.

"For the next 16 days, you will be the best version of humanity. You’ll remind us that the emotions of sport form a universal language that we all share. Until the 11th of August, we’ll be by your side.

"Your defeats will be our defeats. Your victories will be our victories. Your emotions will be our emotions."

Image source, Reuters

Tony Estanguet, a three-time Olympic gold medallist in Canoe slalom who is now the Paris 2024 president, says: "France is often said to be the country of love. One thing I know is that here, when we love, we truly love. And between France and the Games, there has been a big love story.

"This love story was born nearly 130 years ago, just a few kilometers from here, in the main amphitheatre of the Sorbonne University, when Pierre de Coubertin proposed the rebirth of the ancient Olympic Games. And this love story grew, with the Games of Paris, of Chamonix, Grenoble and Albertville.

"Clearly carrying on this legacy is a huge responsibility. So, we have put out whole hearts into it. To love the Games is to court the Games for 100 years, for the chance to bring them back to Paris.

"When you’re madly in love with the Games, you feel like you can do anything. We have been bold, doing things that have never been done before, like having this Opening Ceremony in the city, for the first time in the history of the Olympic Games.

"Like every host country our ambition has been to help the Games grow stronger."

Onto the speeches.

We begin with three-time Olympic gold medallist Tony Estanguet who is the Paris 2024 president.

Filippo Grandi, who is the United Nations high commissioner for refugees, has just been a given the Olympic Laurel.

The Olympic Laurel is a distinction awarded by the International Olympic Committee, external (IOC) to honour those who have "made significant achievements in education, culture, development and peace through sport".

It was introduced in 2016.

Sorry!

Looks like I could be in trouble when I get home.

Eleanor Oldroyd
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, EPA

Everything about this ceremony has been so different from anything we've seen before and it continues to be different.

Romain: Amazing opening ceremony by the French, thinking outside the box and including its whole capital Paris in it. Love the concept and so unique. Can’t believe no other country thought of something like this. I’m gobsmacked!