PHOENIX — The 2024 Summer Olympics are officially underway in Paris!
Dozens of athletes who live or train in Arizona took part in a rainy Opening Ceremony Friday. 10,500 athletes from around the world floated down the Seine River in 90 boats, with the Parade of Nations ending at the base of the Eiffel Tower.
Participating in the Parade of Nations is a dream come true for any athlete. Dozens of athletes who are from or train in Arizona got to experience the historic ceremony and gave us behind-the-scenes glimpses through their social media pages, as they are allowed to have their phones during the parade.
Here is the 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony through the eyes of Arizona athletes.
Paige Heyn (Team USA skateboarding, Tempe)
She's only 16 years old, but she's racked up the awards and is considered one of the best in her sport.
Paige Heyn has been skateboarding for the majority of her life. At 4 years old, her uncle gave her a skateboard as a gift. She started skating in her neighborhood and then when she was 8, she signed up for lessons at KTR, an indoor skate park in the Valley. She is one of the youngest Olympians representing the US this year.
Heyn got an iconic photo with Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant and Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James during the Opening Ceremony.
Kevin Durant (Team USA Basketball, Phoenix Suns)
Kevin Durant is just one of 12 members of a star-studded Team USA that is coming together to win the country's fifth straight gold medal.
"Whole outfit soaked but we here," Durant posted to Threads with the Eiffel Tower in the background.
Devin Booker (Team USA Basketball, Phoenix Suns)
"What a day!" Devin Booker said on his Instagram stories after posting photos in the Team USA gear with LeBron James.
And yes, he brought the camcorder.
Kahleah Copper (Team USA Basketball, Phoenix Mercury)
It's a "year of firsts" for Phoenix Mercury's Kahleah Copper, who posted a photo standing in front of what looks like an elevator with a picture of her in her Team USA gear on.
Copper, Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi and the rest of the Team USA women's basketball team can be seen in another photo in their Opening Ceremony outfits grabbing some refreshments. Copper also posted a video with LeBron James and Devin Booker from the boat on the Seine and several more photos with other athletes.
Regan Smith (Team USA Swimming, ASU)
"All dressed up with no place to go… Gotta save the legs for race day #openingceremonies," ASU swimmer Regan Smith posted to Instagram with several photos of other athletes in Paris.
Not many people can say Michael Phelps is rooting for them — but Smith can.
The three-time Olympic medalist is training in Arizona under USA Olympic Swimming coach Bob Bowman, who trained Phelps, and she is currently preparing for the Paris Olympics. Who better to root for a fellow Olympian than the most decorated Olympian of all time?
Maryam Sheikhalizadehkhanghah (Team Azerbaijan swimming, University of Arizona)
Maryam Sheikhalizadehkhanghah, swimmer at the University of Arizona, represents Team Azerbaijan in the 2024 Olympics.
Sheikhalizadehkhanghah posted a photo with her country's flag with the Eiffel Tower in the background and a video on the boat with her country's athletes.
The Opening Ceremony will play again during primetime Friday night on 12News beginning at 7:30 p.m., be sure to look for our Arizona athletes!
Journey to Paris
Check out more 2024 Olympic coverage on 12News' YouTube page.
