Showmanship, spectacle, effervescent beauty and performance have always gone hand-in-hand with the City of Lights. Could there be a more appropriate city than Paris for the Olympic opening ceremony?
If the Olympic Games are the utmost test of skill, a challenge to approach the human limit for athleticism and mastery of a sport, the opening ceremony is the most grandiose display of art and culture. The championships of performance and flair.
The quadrennial ceremonies are nothing less than iconic, giving host nations the chance to present their most vicious selves. And what better place for France to do that than under the looming lights of the Eiffel Tower?
Follow along with us here on Sportsnet for live updates and best moments from what should prove to be a bright and spectacular opening ceremony from Paris.
A fit for a king
If you paid attention in history class, you’d know the French don’t have a ton of love for royalty. Basketball royalty might get a somewhat different treatment at the Olympic Games.
King James donned a suit made to stand out from the rest, a sweet white coat with red and blue accented lapels from Ralph Lauren perfect for a post on LeagueFits. He paired it with a pair of normal, run-of-the-mill light blue jeans, perfect for a post on literally any construction site in Downtown Toronto.
Only the best for the first U.S. men’s basketball flag bearer.
Being an Olympic torchbearer: Nuthin’ but a G thang
Every time it comes around, there are always a few celebrity cameos during the torch relay as the Olympic flame makes its way to the cauldron to signify the official start of the games. From Wayne Gretzky in Vancouver and Muhammad Ali in Atlanta to … Snoop Dogg in Paris?
Well-known for doing sidequests in his spare time — like starting up a cooking show with Martha Stewart or playing flag football — this one might take the cake. The Doggfather strutted his way through the streets of Paris carrying the flame and making sure not to “Drop it Like It’s Hot,” wearing some gold kicks to match the sheen of the City of Lights and looked as “Young, Wild and Free” as ever.