Nothing could go wrong: the story behind the Paris Olympics cauldron balloon

The Olympic Flame rises on a balloon after being lit in Paris during the recent opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics. Photo: AP

The night the Olympic and Paralympic cauldron first flew over Paris, its designer Mathieu Lehanneur held his breath: Nothing could go wrong.

The balloon, lit by the Olympic torch and set off into the sky, was a risk. After all, it was the first time it had ever been tested in its entirety, Lehanneur said on Wednesday.