The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games takes place this evening along the River Seine.

Preparations for the Games have been hit by a series of scandals and today, most seriously, by what appear to be coordinated attacks to sabotage France’s rail network.

Organisers are praying tonight’s audacious event, which is due to begin at 6.30pm (UK time) and will be watched by more than 300,000 spectators on the banks of the river, goes smoothly.

Follow all the build-up and news here...