and israeli prime minister bejamin netantyhu meets and israeli prime minister bejamin netanyahu meetse heart of the city, flotillas carrying each of the national teams and international stars sailed down the seine — at times drenched by torrential rain. ending with the olympic cauldron floating in the sky in a hot air balloon. paris was transformed into a series of giant stages, with the usual 0lympic rituals accompanied by extravagant and, at times, off—beat celebrations of french culture. the day got off to a difficult start, after several acts of sabotage on france's high—speed railway network, disrupting the journey to the ceremony for many. more on that in a moment, but first maryam moshiri has more on the spectacle on the seine. what a culmination, what an end to what has been at times a difficult day for the organisers of the paris