Olympics opening ceremony kicks off in Paris

The Olympics’ opening ceremony kicks off in Paris, in a much-anticipated, unprecedented ceremony along the River Seine.

In an ambitious, high-risk departure from past opening ceremonies, up to 7,500 athletes are poised to sail down a six-kilometer (four-mile) stretch of the Seine in an armada of 85 boats.

Despite the rain that forecasters say is likely to fall during the ceremony and a wave of attacks that paralyzed France’s rail system this morning, organizers say they’re confident of pulling off the audacious opening extravaganza.

Basketball superstar LeBron James, who will be one of two Team USA flagbearers along with tennis star Coco Gauff, was seen being equipped with a clear plastic poncho to protect him from the predicted deluge.

“We’ll see tonight… but the closer it gets the more the models suggest we’re likely to get rain,” chief Games organizer Tony Estanguet tells France Inter radio, while adding that there would be some modifications to the show if it was wet.

“It’s going to be a beautiful moment, it’s going to be a great party,” he added.