Zinedine Zidane passes the torch to Rafael Nadal during the Opening Ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games along the Seine River. Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Rafael Nadal gets honor typically given to Olympic host athletes

By Sai Mohan | Last updated Jul 27, 2024 9:43 AM ET

The lighting of the Olympic torch Friday night was a gathering of some of the biggest stars in French sports history, with the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Tony Parker, Victor Wembanyama, Charles Coste, Marie-Jose Perec and Teddy Riner all participating in the festivities.

However, in a unique moment, the last athlete who received the torch was not a Frenchman at all. Rafael Nadal, a Spaniard with a deep-rooted connection to France due to his 14 Roland Garros titles, was the one who received the Olympic flame from Zidane before boarding a boat on the Seine. Once on the ship, the tennis legend was joined by Serena Williams, Carl Lewis and Nadia Comaneci, who ultimately handed the torch to Amelie Mauresmo, who carried the flame to the Louvre.

Rafa Nadal, a Spaniard, is so inextricably linked with excellence in Paris (14 Roland Garros titles) & the Olympics (2 golds) that he was featured in the final torch handoff at these games in France although that honor is usually reserved for athletes of the host country.

Aura. pic.twitter.com/aPtbPTKDrS
— TroubleFault (@troublefault) July 26, 2024

Zinedine Zidane passes Rafael Nadal the torch at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Two legends on their sports. What a moment #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/hzloCHltzV
— Eurosport (@eurosport) July 26, 2024

Nadal thanked the city of Paris through several social media posts.

Merci ❤️ Paris https://t.co/QAgQU4NvCS
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) July 26, 2024

Nadal — a former Olympic gold medalist in singles (2008) and doubles (2016 with Marc Lopez) — is attempting to win another medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, his likely last appearance at the Games. The 38-year-old will team up with his protege, Carlos Alcaraz, in doubles action as part of Team Spain. The pair will face Argentina's Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez in the first round on Sunday.

As for his singles draw, Nadal could match up with longtime rival Novak Djokovic in the second round if the two advance past the first round. Nadal will face Hungary's Marton Fucsovics in the opener.

Sai Mohan

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

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