Paris Olympics opening ceremony branded 'worst ever' as viewers switch off from chaotic event
The Paris Olympics opening ceremony was held outside of a stadium
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Paris' decision to have their opening ceremony outside of a stadium hasn't gone down well with viewers who were left unimpressed by the whole show.
For the first time in Olympic history, the curtain-raiser was not held inside a stadium with Paris opting for a different showcase along the Seine.
A 6km river parade was planned with a diverse show taking place throughout the banks of the river and on nearby monuments.
Organisers wanted to make the opening ceremony as accessible as possible with 222,000 free tickets given away and 80 giant screens around the city for everyone to have a chance of watching.
The Paris Olympics opening ceremony was held outside of a stadium
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Due to the opening ceremony's sheer size, there wasn't the possibility of a full rehearsal.
The ceremony began with a video interlude that featured World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane running through Paris.
After a huge firework display of the Tricolour on the Pont d’Austerlitz, the nations began being introduced starting with Greece.
The boats then continued being introduced before another interlude featured Lady Gaga singing in French.
But the chaotic nature of the whole ceremony failed to grip some viewers who were already beginning to turn off at the start.
One viewer fumed: "Can I say that this #openingceremony is horrible?"
Another said: "The most boring opening ceremony ever #OlympicGames turned off now."
A third posted: "Worst #openingceremony ever. Sorry Paris but it's true."
Around 500,000 spectators were expected to watch the ceremony live
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One other message read: "It is dreadful. Worst opening ceremony I have seen."
Another said: "I'm sorry France, but what an awful @Olympic Games Opening Ceremony - boring!!
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Tom Daley and Helen Glover were the flag bearers for Great Britain
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The ceremony was then dampened even further when the rain came down with thousands of spectators getting drenched on the banks of the river.
There were still high spirits among the athletes as they continued to be introduced down the Seine.