In a historic and unforgettable sequence, legendary athletes Zinedine Zidane, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Nadia Comaneci, and Carl Lewis carried the Olympic torch during the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony.

Amidst chants of "Zizou, Zizou," French football icon Zinedine Zidane appeared at the Trocadero, the venue for the grand finale, and handed over the sacred Olympic flame to Rafael Nadal. Nadal then moved towards the River Seine, where he was joined by American tennis star Serena Williams, Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, and American track and field legend Carl Lewis.

The flame had reached the Trocadero carried by a mysterious hooded figure, who had been seen traversing Paris with the torch through canals, streets, rooftops, and museums, sometimes live, but mostly in pre-recorded footage. The journey had begun with Zidane in a video segment.

Zidane, a World Cup champion, passed the flame to Nadal, the greatest tennis player on the clay courts of Roland Garros, where he has claimed victory 14 times. Nadal, a two-time Olympic gold medalist (in singles in 2008 and doubles in 2016), then continued the relay in a boat on the Seine.

This extraordinary relay of sports legends highlighted the rich history and enduring spirit of the Olympics, setting the stage for an unforgettable Games in Paris.