Spectators are arriving in their thousands as they look to settle in before experiencing the unprecedented Olympic 2024 Opening Ceremony.

While the expansive and high-risk event has required an immense security operation involving the deployment of some 45,000 police officers along with 10,000 soldiers and 20,000 private security guards, early setbacks look to be arising due to entry organisation.

Spectators are facing long queues and ticketing problems with many gates opening over an hour later than planned because of a lack of scanners hampering the ability of staff to check the influx of tickets.

Around 100,000 people are set to be seated on the lower banks and bridges over the Seine River while another 200,000 with free tickets will flood to the river's upper banks.

According to German film producer, Michael Ohoven, he and his wife waited in queues for an hour in front of a closed gate near the Invalides monument with tickets that cost them £2,700 (€2,930) each. "The police have been amazing, but the organisation sucks," he said.

57-year-old Parisian, Fabienne Guez, meanwhile, didn't hold back as she waited for information on when she would be able to enter saying "I paid 1,600 euros for my ticket. Honestly, it's a disgrace." 

Once gates finally opened at 17:30 CEST with the ceremony scheduled to start two hours later at 19:30 CEST, heavy rainfall exacerbated circumstances and, according to the Weather Channel, a 35% chance of rain at 19:30 CEST (18:30 GMT) will increase to 42% by 23:00 CEST (22:00 GMT) potentially dampening spirits further.