Croatian Culture Minister Andrea Zlatar Violic opened a three-month presentation of the Apoxyomenos sculpture in Louvre on Thursday evening.
Those present were addressed by Louvre director Henri Loyrette and French Institute President Xavier Darcos.
The bronze Apoxyomenos was discovered in the Adriatic Sea fully covered in sponges and sea life.
The statute will remain in Louvre until 25 February 2013.
