Mystery Hooded Figure with Olympic Torch Unveiled at Opening Ceremony

The Paris Opening Ceremony captivated viewers with a mysterious character who absconded with the Olympic torch.

WASHINGTON — A masked torch bearer, drawing comparisons to a popular video game franchise, stole the spotlight at the Paris Opening Ceremony.

At the onset of the event, this enigmatic figure “stole” the torch from a group of children. Throughout the ceremony, the broadcast intermittently showcased this character performing daring parkour moves across Paris’ iconic landmarks.

The masked figure, resembling a fencer with a cage and a white cloak, wore dark-colored garments that fluttered as they moved.

This acrobatic display and the character’s attire reminded many viewers of Ubisoft’s “Assassin’s Creed” series, especially given that “Assassin’s Creed Unity” is set in revolution-era France and features a similarly dressed character navigating Paris to topple tyrants.

Social media users quickly pointed out the resemblance to the game series, noting the ceremony’s thematic connection to French culture.

One of Ubisoft’s studios involved in the “Assassin’s Creed” development is located in France, aligning with the ceremony’s theme of highlighting cultural points of interest.

The event also paid homage to “Les Misérables,” Marie Antoinette, and Louis Vuitton, blending elements of French history and culture.

According to the Associated Press, the mysterious figure drew inspiration from various French cultural icons such as Belphégor, the Iron Mask, the Phantom of the Opera, Fantomas, Ezio from “Assassin’s Creed,” and Arsène Lupin.

The torchbearer exhibited impressive skills, running atop the Musee d’Orsay, navigating Pont Neuf, and performing cartwheels down a red runway.

Uncertainty remains about whether this character will light the Olympic cauldron or pass the torch to another individual.

Later in the ceremony, another enigmatic character appeared to deliver the Olympic flag.

“A representation of Olympic spirit and a call for peace and solidarity takes shape in the form of a horsewoman galloping across the Seine,” the Olympic Games social media account conveyed.

The Olympic flag was raised to the Olympic Anthem, performed by 60 choristers from the Radio France Choir and 90 musicians from the French National Orchestra, with the Trocadéro stage designed to resemble the Eiffel Tower.

Lighting the Olympic cauldron is a highly honored tradition, typically bestowed upon a national figure of great significance, such as Muhammad Ali or Steve Nash.

The identity of the individual lighting the cauldron remains a closely guarded secret, one of the most anticipated revelations of any Olympic host country.