Arizona Athletes Share Unfiltered Moments from the Olympic Opening Ceremony

Athletes who live or train in Arizona gave us a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the Opening Ceremony in Paris on Friday.

PHOENIX — The 2024 Summer Olympics have officially begun in Paris, kicking off with an unforgettable Opening Ceremony.

Rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the athletes. Over 10,000 athletes from across the globe floated down the Seine River in 90 boats, concluding the Parade of Nations at the base of the Eiffel Tower.

Team USA cruising into the #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/gQDaRBrqXT

For many athletes, participating in the Parade of Nations is a lifelong dream. This year, dozens of athletes from Arizona shared their experiences on social media as they captured the historic event with their phones.

Here’s a look at the 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony from the perspective of Arizona athletes.

Paige Heyn (Team USA skateboarding, Tempe)

At just 16 years old, Paige Heyn is already a top skateboarder. She began skateboarding at age four and honed her skills at KTR, an indoor skate park in the Valley, by age eight. She took an iconic photo with basketball stars Kevin Durant and LeBron James during the ceremony.

Kevin Durant (Team USA Basketball, Phoenix Suns)

Kevin Durant, aiming for Team USA’s fifth consecutive gold medal, shared his excitement despite the weather. “Whole outfit soaked but we here,” he posted on Threads with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

Devin Booker (Team USA Basketball, Phoenix Suns)

“What a day!” exclaimed Devin Booker on Instagram, sharing photos with LeBron James in Team USA gear. Booker also captured footage of the opening with his camcorder, which garnered significant attention.

Need to see Book’s camcorder footage from the Paris Opening Ceremony pic.twitter.com/l9W3gIsiIZ

Kahleah Copper (Team USA Basketball, Phoenix Mercury)

Phoenix Mercury’s Kahleah Copper marked a “year of firsts” with her participation. She shared moments from the ceremony, including a video with LeBron James and Devin Booker on the Seine, and photos with fellow athletes.

Regan Smith (Team USA Swimming, ASU)

Regan Smith, an ASU swimmer, posted, “All dressed up with no place to go… Gotta save the legs for race day #openingceremonies,” alongside photos from Paris. Michael Phelps’s support highlights her journey, as she trains under renowned coach Bob Bowman.

Maryam Sheikhalizadehkhanghah (Team Azerbaijan swimming, University of Arizona)

Representing Team Azerbaijan, University of Arizona swimmer Maryam Sheikhalizadehkhanghah shared a patriotic photo with her country’s flag and scenic shots aboard the boat during the parade.

The Opening Ceremony will re-air during primetime Friday night on 12News at 8 p.m. Keep an eye out for Arizona’s athletes!

Journey to Paris

Catch more 2024 Olympic coverage on 12News’ YouTube page.