While the final act of the opening ceremony was a triumph, after 210 minutes of tedium and confusion it came too late. Behind that smirk, Macron must be burning with humiliation, writes DAVID JONES

In the spirit of the Entente Cordiale, let’s start with the positive. The final act of the opening ceremony was a triumph that showcased France’s technological ingenuity and theatrical brilliance.

Multicoloured laser beams tore through the rusted structure of the Eiffel Tower and the Olympic flame floated skywards in a golden orb to the tune of Céline Dion, who had put aside her ill health to sing a classic Edith Piaf ballad.

But by then, I fear it was too late. After enduring 210 minutes of tedium, confusion, Clouseau-like gaffes and looking ridiculous in their plastic raincoats, the world leaders and celebrities watching us had turned into Les Misérables.

Or rather, those who were still there. Soaked to the skin because the grandstand’s cantilevered roof covered only the upper seats, half the VIPs, including Team GB’s Sir Keir Starmer in a raincoat, had slipped away long before the end.

The thunderous expressions on the faces of King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain betrayed a longing to escape to the coast.

As they peered through the plastic sheeting, one wondered if they had noticed that the Olympic flag had been raised with its five rings upside down or that the fireworks show had been hastily cancelled to avoid the embarrassment of soggy fireworks failing.

All this after the failure of a major French security operation to prevent a railway sabotage attack that prevented thousands of spectators – some might say fortuitously – from witnessing the spectacle on the banks of the Seine.

Although President Emmanuel Macron regarded the spectacle with the apparent arrogance of an emperor at the ancient Olympics (protected from the rain, naturally), behind his smirk he must have been seething with anger and humiliation.

At a time when France is mired in political turmoil and social unrest, he knows that the importance of these Games goes far beyond the number of gold medals the country can win. Their success is crucial to France’s future.

As unrest simmers in the city’s grim suburbs and radical Islamism rises, Macron, whose popularity is at its lowest in his seven years in office, had called for the Olympics to “illuminate people’s hearts” and bring them together in “a summer of French pride.”

Will his prayer be answered? The truth is that it would require a public act of faith of record proportions. Last month, after hastily calling a snap general election in a desperate attempt to unite the nation, Macron warned grimly that a victory by extremists on the left or right could trigger a “civil war.” As events unfolded, his political gambit failed miserably.

Although the far right won the first of the two elections, a heterogeneous left-wing alliance was formed – many would say in an undemocratic manner – to prevent it from controlling parliament.

As the Games get underway, France finds itself in governmental limbo, led by an interim prime minister who presides over what his opponents call a “zombie cabinet.”

Macron has called for a political amnesty during the Olympics so that the world can see the country in the best possible light, but his opponents have responded to this call with cynicism. Trying to use sport to project his virility is a well-rehearsed tactic for Macron. He has cultivated a bond with French star footballer Kylian Mbappé, likes to be seen playing tennis and during the countdown to the Olympics he was photographed in a sweat-stained boxing uniform.

He even suggested that the Olympics, with their supposedly noble values ​​of honest endeavour and camaraderie, should serve as a “metaphor” for the way politics should be conducted. Perhaps, then, with a billion people watching, Macron should have made a greater effort to ensure that the opening ceremony, which cost £115m and was years in the planning, went off without a hitch.

He could argue that the numerous painful gaffes had nothing to do with him. He could also try to absolve himself of blame for the decision to stage the event outside a stadium for the first time in Olympic history, rather than forcing athletes from 85 countries to endure a soggy boat ride down a muddy river.

A quick look at the capital’s annual weather patterns would have told organizers that, on average, it rains on 11 of July’s 31 days, with a total monthly precipitation of 2.5 inches. With a one-in-three chance of a downpour, wasn’t the risk too great?

It is true that Macron did not plan the ceremony. It was conceived by the avant-garde director Thomas Jolly, a favourite of right-thinking Parisians, whose appreciation for his ethereal themes, imbued with progressive consciousness, was probably not shared in the country’s traditional corners.

But even the likeable Macron cannot get out of this mess unscathed. His fingerprints are everywhere.

Since coming to power in May 2017, he has placed himself at the centre of France’s Olympic bid and was quick to take political advantage of the choice of Paris as the host city.

Some will no doubt admire his audacity, but one consequence of Macron’s audacity was that dozens of statesmen – the very people he needs as political allies – were soaked to the skin during an endless display that they could only watch on screens because their view of the river was obscured.

Another result was that he once again appeared disconnected, distant and incompetent. All over Paris, people complained about no-go zones that prevented them from getting home and working.

In the suburbs, where many of the events are taking place, I have heard even more complaints about noise, pollution, disruption, exorbitant ticket prices and the unaffordable apartments that will replace the Olympic Village.

But for the president there is still a ray of hope. At the London Games 12 years ago, there were also teething problems and enthusiasm took a while to build.

But after just a few days and several British gold medals, Olympic fever took hold and spread rapidly, giving rise to perhaps the most joyous period in living memory.

Hosting a highly successful Olympic Games has also benefited Britain’s global reputation and our government’s popularity. Macron must pray that the same will happen in Paris.

Because if the greatest show on earth can’t restore the public’s faith in its president and heal France’s terrifying divisions, God knows what will.