Twenty-four French athletes had the honor of being Olympic torchbearers, with the special duo of Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner receiving the honor of lighting the cauldron in the opening ceremony of the 2022 Olympics. Pérec, a track star, won three Olympic gold medals, including gold in the 400 meters at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. Riner, a judoka, also won three Olympic gold medals and has 12 gold medals in world championships. The duo lit their torches onto a 100-foot hot-air balloon, symbolizing the first flight in a hydrogen balloon in 1783.
The opening ceremony of the 2022 Olympics had a French twist, with soccer legend Zinedine Zidane starting the final trek of the torch. The ceremony also included nods to Headless Marie Antoinette and a ménage à trois, receiving mixed reactions. This year marks the second consecutive Summer Games in which an athlete participating in that year’s Olympics lit the cauldron. In 2021, Naomi Osaka lit the cauldron in Tokyo before competing. Other notable torchbearers included Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Nadia Comaneci, and Tony Parker.
The opening ceremony of the 2022 Olympics took place on Friday, with events starting as early as Wednesday, including the United States’ women’s soccer victory over Zambia. The first medal events were scheduled to begin on Saturday, kicking off what promises to be an exciting and competitive Games. Fox News Digital’s sports coverage provides updates on the latest Olympic events and results, and readers can subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter for more in-depth coverage.
Marie-José Pérec, a 56-year-old track star, lit the cauldron along with judoka Teddy Riner to mark the official start of the 2022 Olympics. Pérec’s impressive career includes three Olympic gold medals, with victories in the 400 meters in 1992 and 1996, as well as the 200 meters in 1996. Her 400-meter run in 1996 set an Olympic record at the time. Riner, a 35-year-old judoka, also boasts three Olympic gold medals and 12 gold medals in world championships. He will be looking to secure his fourth Olympic gold in Tokyo and is set to begin competing on August 2.
The cauldron lighting in the opening ceremony of the 2022 Olympics was a momentous occasion, with the special duo of Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner, two French Olympic heroes with a combined total of six Olympic gold medals, given the honor. The ceremony had a uniquely French touch, including references to historical figures like Headless Marie Antoinette and a ménage à trois. Despite mixed reactions to some of the ceremony’s elements, the event marked the official beginning of the Games, with athletes from around the world competing in various sports. Notable torchbearers included Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Nadia Comaneci, and Tony Parker.
