Organisers' attempts to create a unique Olympic opening experience may have fallen flat for some spectators, although those lucky enough to have been on the river enjoyed a soggy if spectacular experience.
Instead of being led into a stadium, as has been the case in every other Games through history, Paris chose to showcase its historic city by ferrying teams down the iconic River Seine on barges.
The novel approach made for the most-attended opening ceremony ever, but that milestone came at a cost.
"On the bank where I was sitting, some people had paid thousands to be there," said 1News Europe correspondent Mei Heron. "I reckon we only got a fraction of the event in person.
"The rest we had to watch on screen — all that glitz and glamour — just like everyone else at home."
Because of how open the ceremony was, some attendees felt like they paid too much to watch most of it on a screen. (Source: 1News)
While those on the banks craned their necks for the best views, the Kiwi athletes relished the novel launch to proceedings.
"It was amazing," said artistic swimmer Eva Morris. "We have never been to an Olympic Games before, so just standing on the front of our boat with the wider NZ team was such a special and surreal feeling that we've both been waiting for our whole lives.
"Very wet, soaked right through, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so we were just soaking it up."
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