The world's best athletes are in France for the 16-day Summer Olympics in Paris, which started Friday as competitors rode for three and a half miles aboard 94 boats on the Seine River (see video below). In an arena called the Trocadéro, a ceremonial torch carried by two past French gold medalists lit a symbolic cauldron that rose in a hot-air balloon. Then Celine Dion sang a French song, "Hymne à l’Amour" (Hymn to Love), on the Eiffel Tower.

Roughly 10,500 athletes from 32 sports are participating in a tradition that dates back to ancient Greece and that's held every four years. Nearly 600 U.S. athletes will compete, including more than 250 returning Olympians and 122 past medal winners such as gymnast Simone Biles, surfer Carissa Moore, basketball guard Diana Taurasi, swimmer Katie Ledecky and sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson. Team USA's most decorated member is Ledecky, who's trying to add to her collection of seven golds and three other medals.

The United States seeks its eighth straight gold medal in women's basketball. The men's team – which includes pro hoop stars Lebron James, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry – is trying for a fifth straight Olympic title. The U.S. women's soccer team, led by new coach Emma Hayes, chases after its first gold since 2012.

Other sports that fans can watch on NBC and its Peacock streaming service include archery, beach volleyball, cycling, canoeing, fencing, football, rowing, sailing, table tennis, wresting, water polo, weightlifting, skateboarding and a new addition – breakdancing, a hip-hop dance form that began 50 years ago in the United States. An American breaker to watch is 29-year-old Victor Montalvo, who competes as B-Boy Victor. Women have a separate competition.

Celebrities serving as NBC coverage co-hosts and commentators include Snoop Dogg, Kelly Clarkson, Peyton Manning, Colin Jost, Leslie Jones and Jimmy Fallon. Competitions for gold, silver and bronze medals will be spread over 34 indoor and outdoor sites through Aug. 11.

U.S. athlete says: "I want to see how far I can go. I want to see what I'm still capable of so once I step away from this sport, I can truly be happy with my career and say I gave it my all." – Simone Biles, 27-year-old gymnast

Olympic leader says: "Even if their countries are in conflict or even at war, their athletes will be living peacefully together under one roof in the Olympic Village. The 10,500 best athletes of the world will send this inspiring message of unity, hope and peace from France to the world." – Thomas Bach, International Olympic Committee

River safety: France's sports minister, Amelie Oudea-Castera, two weeks ago took a symbolic plunge into the Seine in an effort to ease concerns about pollution risks for open water swimmers.