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The cauldron lighting ceremony is one of the most traditional practices of the Olympics and still finds a very important place in the opening ceremonies of the quadrennial event. The cauldron lighting at the Olympics symbolizes the unity and competitive spirit that define the global event.
There was no exception made during the 2024 opening ceremony when the Olympic torch was passed from one hand to another. The lighting of the cauldron began with Zinedine Zidane, one of the most iconic figures in football history, receiving the torch from an unidentified torchbearer. The torch was then passed down from one legend to another.
The next in line was the 14-time French Open champion, the "King of Clay," Rafael Nadal, who in turn passed the torch to tennis legend and former WTA No. 1, Serena Williams. The next icon to carry the Olympic torch from Williams was retired Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, who passed it on to nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis.
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Lewis passed the Olympic torch to Amelie Mauresmo, the current director of the French Open, a two-time Grand Slam winner, and the former No. 1 player in the WTA rankings.
The Olympic torch next featured an NBA showcase as four-time NBA Champion Tony Parker took the flame from previous torchbearers. He then passed it to the official cauldron lighters of the Paris 2024 Olympics, three-time Olympic gold medalists Teddy Riner (Men's Judo) and Marie-Jose Perec (Women's track and field).
Riner and Perec lit the cauldron, which was attached to a hot air balloon. As soon as the cauldron was lit, it ascended to the beautiful night skies of Paris, thus marking the official start of the 33rd edition of the Olympics.
All you need to know about the US stars who carried the Olympic torch during the 2024 Paris Olympics
As the Olympic torch traveled from Marseille to Paris, various stars from the United States of America had the honor of carrying it during the opening day of the marquee event. Snoop Dogg was among the US stars who graced the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics and also carried the Olympic torch.
Besides Dogg, 51-year-old American rapper, Pharell Williams was also seen carrying the Olympic torch. Other prominent stars who carried the torch on Friday (June 26) include Salma Hayek, Patrick Bruel, and MC Solaar.
