Paris 2024 Olympics: who was the masked man behind the hood at the opening ceremony?

Paris set the world's heart aflutter at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games. But the question on everyone's lips was: who was this enigmatic torchbearer, twirling across the rooftops of the capital? This masked hero made a spectacular entrance, starting at Austerlitz and ending in apotheosis at the Trocadéro, passing the flame to Zinédine Zidane to the cheers of the athletes and dignitaries present.

Wearing an outfit directly inspired by Arno, the famous character fromAssasin's Creed Unity, this mysterious acrobat put on a breathtaking show, linking the iconic monuments of Paris and showcasing French history and culture in an unprecedented way.

Speculation is rife: Tom Cruise on a secret mission? A political figure? But we finally have the answer, at least in part... Simon Nogueira, the freerunning champion, revealed on Instagram that he was indeed the main protagonist of this adventure. But he wasn't alone! Other artists, probably including World Chase Tag champion Clément Daumais, also played their part. On his social networks, Dumais promised to reveal all the details in a live show next year. It's sure to keep us on our toes!

And let's not forget the masked rider who crossed the Seine on a mechanical horse, from the Pont d'Iéna to the Place du Trocadéro, with the Olympic flag on her shoulders. Behind this moving scene was Floriane Issert, Gendarmerie non-commissioned officer.

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A part of the magic and mystery remains intact... So stay tuned for further revelations about the Paris 2024 Olympics!

Simon Nogueira is also featured in an exhibition currently on show in Paris:

Olympic Games 2024: Head in the Clouds, our photos from the special Olympic Games group show at La Lison gallery
For the 2024 Olympics, we're off to Galerie La Lison to discover the "Head in the Clouds" exhibition, from July 25 to August 30, 2024. Three artists with a passion for the rooftops of Paris invite you to immerse yourself in their unique, poetic visions of the city. [Read more]