LADY GAGA, HEAVY metal and a rare performance by Celine Dion helped to open the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Celine Dion gave her first live public performance since revealing she is living with stiff person syndrome (SPS), with a spectacular rendition from the Eiffel Tower at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.

The Canadian singer cancelled her Las Vegas residency due to health concerns in 2021, before revealing her SPS diagnosis in December 2022 and cancelling her Courage World Tour.

She had not performed in public until the closes minutes of tonight’s ceremony.

Before that, a total of 85 boats carried the team delegations on a four-mile journey through the centre of Paris, with more than 300,000 spectators lining the banks of the river.

The hosts France cruise down the Seine amid the rain. John Walton / PA John Walton / PA / PA

Among these were Team Ireland, lead by flag bearers Shane Lowry of Offaly and Sarah Lavin from Limerick.

Team Ireland sailing down the River Seine. Inpho Inpho

The athletes followed musical performances ranging from heavy metal to Lady Gaga surrounded by a plume of pink feathers and backing dancers, in a nod to different periods of France’s musical history.

Lady Gaga performing by the Seine in what organisers say was a tribute to French music hall history. PA PA

As the ceremony moved down the river, it paid tribute to the country’s culture and history including Les Miserables, a popular novel by Victor Hugo, which has subsequently been turned into a musical.

Smoke in the colours of the flag of France rises above the Pont d’Austerlitz. John Walton / PA John Walton / PA / PA

The celebrations were met with heavy rain with performers, including pianist Alexandre Kantorow, braving heavy showers during their performances.

The boats later headed under a bridge which, filled with performers, had been transformed into a temporary catwalk.

David Davies / PA David Davies / PA / PA

Among those highlgihted during the journey to bring the torch to its destination were a horsewoman, armoured in the shiniest of metal, riding an equally metal horse.

A horsewoman wearing the flag of the Olympics rides a metal horse down the Seine. Pauline Ballet / PA Pauline Ballet / PA / PA

And the Olympic flame was lit by French athletes Marie-Jose Perec (left) and Teddy Riner.

The finale of the ceremony at a modern hot air balloon which later rose above Paris. Jan Woitas / PA Jan Woitas / PA / PA

The Olympic Flame rises on a balloon after being lit in Paris. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo