Carl Lewis, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams endure rocky Seine boat ride with Olympic flame

• Nadia Comăneci keeps balance during choppy journey
• Sporting greats were part of Paris Olympic ceremony

Carl Lewis, as a nine-time Olympic champion and the IOC’s sportsman of the 20th century, has faced down some formidable foes over the years. But at Friday’s opening ceremony for the Paris Games he nearly came unstuck against his toughest opponent yet: a rocking boat.

The former sprinter joined fellow gold medalists Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal and Nadia Comăneci on a boat that roared down the Seine carrying the Olympic flame to the traditional cauldron lighting ceremony.