"You're the image of Paris" - Rafael Nadal being convinced by Paris Mayor to become opening ceremony torch-bearer at Olympics 2024 comes to light

Rafael Nadal was a surprise torch bearer during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony. Reportedly, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo specially asked the Spaniard to be a part of the ceremony as he was 'adored' by the city.

On Friday, July 26, the iconic Olympic Torch Relay took place during the opening ceremony of the Paris Games. The Relay involved 24 athletes and surprisingly, it involved multiple non-French athletes. Usually, the Relay is conducted by athletes belonging to the home nation. However, France made an exception.

Among the non-French athletes was two-time Olympic gold medallist Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard received the torch from French football icon Zinedine Zidane at the Trocadero.

He carried the torch and sailed on a boat through the river Seine along with multiple Olympic gold-medallist athletes including Americans Serena Williams, Carl Lewis, and Romania's Nadia Comaneci.

According to sports journalist Angel Garcia, Paris Mayor Hidalgo was personally involved in convincing Nadal to take part in the festivities. She called him the 'image' and 'history' of Paris.

"You're the image of Paris, history of Paris, one of the most important figures in Paris' history, and as the most Parisian of the international athletes, we want you to have a very relevant role in the ceremony," Hidalgo told Nadal, as reported by Angel Garcia [translated from Spanish].

Nadal, who is a record 14-time French Open winner, is 'adored' in the French capital.

A translation of journalist Angel Garcia's explanation on how Rafael Nadal participated in the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. (Credits: X)

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Rafael Nadal's image carrying Olympic torch under glittering Eiffel Tower during Opening Ceremony goes viral

Rafael Nadal holds the Olympic torch during the Olympics Opening Ceremony (Image via Getty).

As Rafael Nadal received the Olympic torch from Zinedine Zidane at the Trocadero, the Spaniard was clicked under the glittering lights of the Eiffel Tower. Nadal posted the image on his X (formerly Twitter) account and the post got over 3 million views.

Nadal will begin his fourth and final Olympic campaign on Saturday, July 27, in the men's doubles event partnering Carlos Alcaraz. The Spanish pair will take on Argentina's Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni.

Meanwhile, Nadal is slated to face Hungary's Marton Fucsovics in the first round of the singles event. A victory against the Hungarian will set up a blockbuster second-round clash between Nadal and Novak Djokovic as the Serb won his first-round encounter against Matthew Ebden.