After exactly a century Paris is once again hosting the Olympic Games, for the third time in its history (after 1900 and 1924), showcasing, among others, the nation’s Gallic heritage, history, gastronomy and world-renowned culture.
The 2024 Olympic Games will take place from July 26 to Aug. 11 and promise to be a competition like no other, with Olympic venues mostly in the “City of Light” but also in other French cities as well, along with overseas territories, such as far-off Tahiti. Four new sports competitions will debut at the Paris Games, including something more suited to performing arts, namely, break dancing.
Several iconic locations will host competitions, such as the base of the Eiffel Tower (beach volleyball), at the Grand Palais (fencing and Tae kwon do), at the Esplanade des Invalides (archery), the Place de la Concorde (skating, breakdancing, BMX and 3×3 basketball), as well as equestrian events and the modern pentathlon near Versailles. The now clean and clear River Seine, according to the organizers, will host swimming events and the first-ever “riverine” opening ceremony of the Games — the first time in Olympic history that this highly watched event will take place outside a sports stadium.
The Paris Games in numbers:
Billions of viewers around the world
350,000 hours of television broadcast
More than 8.7 million tickets – a new record – had been sold 10 days before the start of the Games
15 million visitors to Paris
10,714 athletes 32 sports 329 events included in the program
206 the nations that will participate
20,000 accredited media professionals
45,000 volunteers
Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete as neutrals, without an emblem, flag, anthem, and will not march in the opening ceremony of the Games.
