Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Steven Spielberg, Lady Gaga – there were plenty of A-listers around Paris for the first few days of the Games. Cruise has received a particularly warm welcome – given a knighthood from the French government (becoming a "chevalier des arts et des lettres") and serenaded with a blast of the Mission: Impossible theme in the arena. Sat just in front of him was Barbie director Greta Gerwig, becoming a fixture in France after her time as head of the Cannes Film Festival jury in May. Lady Gaga performed at the Olympic opening ceremony, delivering a French music hall standard Mon Truc en Plumes. She treated fans in Paris to a sneak preview of her new album as well. Some of Hollywood's favourite Australians have also been in town, with Barbie star Margot Robbie spotted at the opening ceremony. Kidman, another Aussie, was present for the gymnastics and also skateboarding.

Spielberg, meanwhile, reunited with Cruise – with whom he made Minority Report and War of the Worlds – to watch the rain-drenched opening ceremony. Perhaps they were taking notes – the Paris ceremony has set the bar high for Los Angeles 2028.