Paris Summer Olympics 2024 - A Grand Return to the City of Light!

The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics will mark France's most significant event ever hosted. Scheduled from July 26th, 2024 to August 11th, 2024, Paris will transform into the epicentre of global attention for sports and various cultural celebrations. Paris will serve as the primary host city, accompanied by 16 other cities across Metropolitan France and one subsite in Tahiti—an island within the French overseas country and overseas collectivity of French Polynesia.

In this post, let’s dive further and learn about the Paris Olympics 2024.

Olympic Games in Figures

Here are some figures to understand the Olympics in 2024:

When are the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games?

The Summer Olympic Games 2024 opening ceremony is set to begin on 26 July 2024 at 19:30 (CEST, GMT+2). Unlike traditional stadium settings, this ceremony is tentatively planned to unfold novelly, with a parade of nations conducted as a boat procession along the Seine, from Pont d’Austerlitz to Pont d’lena. The official protocol will transpire at Place du Trocadéro within a temporary "mini-stadium". Along the 6-kilometer route, spectators will be treated to cultural presentations and breathtaking views of Paris landmarks. The organisers have touted this ceremony as the most spectacular and inclusive in Olympic history.

The summer Olympics will end on 11 August after hosting 10,500 athletes in 329 events. Following that, the Paralympics will run from 28 August to 8 September, with 4,400 athletes competing across 549 events. A total of 206 countries will be represented at the Olympics, while 184 countries will participate in the Paralympics. Paris is anticipated to welcome over 15 million tourists during the games.

Olympics 2024 Location and Venues

Paris 2024 will use iconic and new venues across the city and its suburbs, ensuring an amalgamation of modern functionality and historical charm. The city centre will have 15 Olympic events and 11 Paralympic events locations. Olympic and Paralympic events will primarily occur at the Stade de France, situated on the northern outskirts of Paris. However, additional venues will be spread across the city centre, totalling 15 for the Olympics and 11 for the Paralympics.

The notable locations include the Pont d’lena for cycling events and the Hotel de Ville and Les Invalides for the marathon’s start and finish lines. Swimming competitions are planned for the Seine in central Paris, although adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain affecting water quality, may necessitate delays or cancellations. Due to security measures, central Paris venues will be restricted from public access, with significant traffic limitations. Specific metro and railway stations will also be partially or entirely closed throughout the games.

Sports of Olympics 2024

The programme for the 2024 Summer Olympics will encompass 329 events across 32 sports. This includes the 28 "core" Olympic sports from the 2016 and 2020 editions and four optional sports proposed by the Paris Organising Committee. Breaking will make its Olympic debut as an optional sport while skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing will return. Weightlifting will see four events dropped, while in canoeing, two sprint events will be replaced with two slalom events, maintaining the overall total at 16. Additionally, sport climbing will feature separate events for "speed climbing" and "boulder-and-lead" for each gender, splitting from the previous "combined" event.

In February 2023, USA Boxing announced its intention to boycott the 2023 World Championships organised by the International Boxing Association (IBA). This decision stemmed from concerns over Russian and Belarusian athletes competing without restrictions and accusations against the IBA of undermining the IOC-approved qualification pathway for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Following suit, Poland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Sweden, and Canada joined the boycott.

New and Optional Sports

When Paris vied for the Games in August 2017, the Paris Organising Committee indicated its intention to explore including competitive esports events in the 2024 Olympics, sparking discussions with the IOC and professional esports organisations. However, in July 2018, the IOC announced that esports would not be considered for the 2024 Olympics. Subsequently, at the 134th IOC Session in June 2019, the IOC approved the Paris Organising Committee's proposal to introduce breaking (breakdance) as an optional sport, along with skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing. These three sports had previously made their debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics. Each of these disciplines is accessible to beginners and fosters vibrant communities that are highly engaged on social media platforms.

Medals of Olympics 2024

In February 2024, Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet revealed the Olympic and Paralympic medals for the games. The obverse side of the medals showcased hexagon-shaped tokens of scrap iron extracted from the original Eiffel Tower’s construction, with the game's logo intricately engraved into them. On the reverse side, the medals feature Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, in the Panathenaic Stadium. The Parthenon and the Eiffel Tower are prominent background elements on both sides of the medal. Each medal weighs between 455 and 529 grams. The gold medals consist of 98.8 per cent silver and 1.13 per cent gold, while the bronze medals comprise copper, zinc, and TIN. These medals were crafted by the French mint Monnaie de Paris, with designs conceptualised by Chaumet, a renowned luxury jewellery brand based in Paris, amounting to approximately 5,084 medals.

How to Buy Olympic Tickets 2024?

To buy 2024 Summer Olympics tickets, follow these steps:

• Visit the official Paris 2024 Olympics ticketing website and create an account.
• Understand the ticketing phases, which are two: The draw and the First-Come, First-Served phases. In the former, tickets are often sold through a lottery system. You will have to register for the draw to get a chance to purchase tickets. In the latter, remaining tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served Basis.
• Then, browse the event schedule and select the sports and sessions you are interested in.
• Log in to your account when your draw slot opens or during the general sale.
• Select your preferred events, seats, and ticket types.
• Complete your purchase using accepted payment methods.
• Tickets may be digital or physical. Follow the instructions on the website for delivery details.

Ensure you have all necessary documentation for entry, including identification and proof of purchase.

Worldwide Partners of Olympics 2024

Here is the list of brands working with France as worldwide partners for the Olympics 2024:

• Airbnb
• Alibaba
• Allianz
• Atos
• Bridgestone
• Coca Cola
• Corona Cera
• Deloitte
• Intel
• Omega
• Panasonic
• P&G
• Samsung
• Toyota
• Visa

Broadcasting Rights

In France, Warner Bros. Discovery (formerly Discovery Inc.) holds the domestic broadcasting rights to the 2024 Summer Olympics through Eurosport. Additionally, free-to-air coverage has been sublicensed to France Télévisions, the country's public broadcaster.

How are France's Security Forces Preparing for the Olympics?

France's security forces are intensifying their preparations for the Olympics, with concerns about potential threats such as drone attacks prompting the government to reduce spectator numbers for the opening ceremony. They were initially planned to feature 600,000 members of the public along the River Seine; now only 300,000 guests will attend, amid considerations of relocating the ceremony entirely if security risks escalate.

President Emmanuel Macron suggested alternative venues like the Trocadero Gardens or the Stade de France. The security deployment involves approximately 20,000 soldiers and over 40,000 police officers, supplemented by 2,000 personnel from other countries. The security measures include drone defences, rigorous screening processes, and extensive surveillance. Specific areas, such as the opening ceremony along the River Seine, will have restricted access to ensure safety. Extensive screening of one million individuals, including athletes, residents, medical staff, and volunteers, is underway. Additionally, 6,000 police officers, dog units, and snipers will patrol Marseille as the Olympic flame arrives.

Has Russia Been Banned from Paris 2024?

Yes, Russia has been banned from participating in the Paris 2024 Olympics. The ban extends to Belarus as well due to its support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Athletes from these countries can only compete as neutral athletes without the privilege of parading in the opening ceremony or having their national symbols displayed if they win medals. Russia has expressed outrage at this decision and announced the organisation of the "World Friendship Games" in Moscow and Yekaterinburg in September as a response. This move echoes the Soviet Union's decision to hold a similar event in 1984 after boycotting the Los Angeles Olympics.

Has Israel Been Banned from Paris in 2024?

No, Israel has not been banned from participating in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite criticism from the Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, the IOC has decided not to bar Israel from taking part, despite its military operation in Gaza. IOC President Thomas Bach rejected the demand and confirmed Israel's participation in the Games.

How Did the Bidding Process Work for Paris?

The path to securing the 2024 Olympics was filled with twists and turns. The process of bidding for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games involved six candidate cities:

• Paris
• Hamburg
• Boston
• Budapest
• Rome
• Los Angeles

However, the process faced setbacks due to withdrawals, political uncertainties, and financial concerns. Boston emerged victorious over Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, to secure the official bid for the United States. Yet, on July 27, 2015, Boston and the USOC mutually agreed to abandon the bid, citing mixed sentiments within the city.

Hamburg withdrew its bid on November 29, 2015, following a referendum. Rome followed suit on September 21, 2016, citing fiscal challenges, and Budapest withdrew on February 22, 2017, after a petition against the bid garnered sufficient signatures for a referendum. In response to these withdrawals, the IOC Executive Board convened on June 9, 2017, in Lausanne, Switzerland, to address the bid processes for both 2024 and 2028. The IOC proposed electing the host cities for both years simultaneously. Subsequently, a method was established for the LA 2024 and Paris 2024 bid committees.

Following the decision to award both games concurrently, Paris emerged as the preferred host for 2024. On July 31, 2017, the IOC declared Los Angeles as the sole candidate 2028, clearing the path for Paris to be confirmed as the host for 2024. These decisions were formalised at the 131st IOC Session on September 13, 2017.

Impact on Paris and France

The Olympics are expected to impact Paris and the wider region profoundly. Over 10,500 athletes from more than 200 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will compete in 329 events across 32 sports. The influx of athletes, officials, media, and tourists is anticipated to boost the local Economy, with over 15 million visitors expected during the Games. The event will also highlight France's cultural heritage and its capacity to host large-scale international events.

Challenges and Controversies

Despite the excitement, Paris 2024 faces several challenges. Security concerns, potential disruptions to daily life in Paris, and the high cost of hosting the Games are significant issues. The decision to exclude Russian and Belarusian teams due to geopolitical tensions has also sparked controversy. Russian athletes can compete as neutral participants, but this decision has yet to be universally accepted.

Conclusion

The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics represent a historic return of the Games to the City of Light, promising a blend of tradition, innovation, and inclusivity. With a focus on sustainability, gender equality, and youth engagement, Paris 2024 aims to set new standards for future Olympics. Despite the challenges, the Games offer an unparalleled opportunity to showcase Paris globally, celebrate athletic excellence, and unite people worldwide in a shared spirit of competition and camaraderie. As preparations continue, the world eagerly anticipates what promises to be a truly memorable and transformative Olympic experience.