For the third time in its history, the Olympics are returning to the French Capital. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Every four years something magical happens. Around the world, for a fortnight, time grinds to a near-halt as nations from every corner of the globe converge on a single city with one dream in mind: Olympic gold.
Throughout the storied history of the modern Olympics some of humanity’s greatest athletic feats have been achieved. From Jesse Owens in 1936 to Cathy Freeman and the Australian 4×100 freestyle relay team at Sydney 2000 the Olympics has grown synonymous with iconic sporting moments etched eternally in the society’s collective memory.
We’re less than 100 days out from the 33rd Olympic games set to be held in the French capital, Paris. As we prepare for what’s set to be a stellar tournament, here’s everything you need to know heading into the Paris Olympics.
2024 Paris Olympics, the ultimate guide
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When are the Games?
26 July – 11 August
Short, yet sweet, the Paris Olympics are set to be held over two weeks in the middle of the year. The opening ceremony will take place on 26 July and comprise of a parade of nations running for six kilometres concurrently along the Seine River, which runs through the French capital.
As opposed to the traditional stadium setting, the 2024 Games’ official opening ceremony protocol will take place in a ‘mini-stadium’ temporarily constructed at the iconic Place du Trocadero, which sits at the base of the Eiffel Tower and is overlooked by the iconic structured.
However, French president Emmanuel Macron later confirmed the ceremony could be moved to the Stade de France if safety risks aren’t able to properly managed by French authorities.
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Is the first time the Games have been held in Paris?
No, it’s actually the third time the French capital has hosted the Summer Olympics. However, with the Games first rolling into town in 1904 and most recently being held in Paris in 1924, the upcoming Summer Olympics represents Paris’s first chance to host the Olympics in a century.
One important thing to note is, while most of the events will be held in Paris or around France, the surfing competition at the 2024 Olympics will be held in Tahiti, a French Polynesian island in the south Pacific.
According to organisers, this decision was made to “engage French overseas territories and their communities in the Olympic Games – for the first time in history – while showcasing France’s rich and diverse heritage.”
Where do Australia’s best chance at a medal lie?
Naturally, Australia’s best chance of claiming a medal at the Olympics lies in the pool. Nine of Australia’s 17 Golds at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics came in swimming events. For the male swimmers, Zac Stubblety-Cook stood atop the podium in the 200 metres breaststroke, marking the nation’s only men’s swimming Gold medal.
It was the nation’s female swimmers setting the world alight in the Japanese capital, spearheaded by Ariarne Titmus and Emma McKeon. McKeon, Australia’s most decorated Olympian, won Gold in the 50 and 100 metre freestyle, as well as the 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay and the 4 x 100 metre medley relay.
For her part, Titmus claimed Gold in 200 and 400 metre freestyle events. Both will be looking to add to their impressive tally’s in the French capital this summer.
Outside of the pool, Australia’s Matildas will consider themself a strong chance of claiming a Gold medal at the Games. Having finished fourth at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the Matildas have gone from strength to strength in recent months.
Their path to Gold is hardened by their group, which pits them against the USA and Canada, as well as the absence of talismanic striker Sam Kerr, who will miss the tournament with an ACL injury sustained with her club, Chelsea, earlier in the year.
Slalom canoeist Jess Fox will also be hoping to emulate her success at the 2020 Games, where she won Gold, in Paris.
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Any new sports at the Paris Games?
Just the one; breaking, also known as breakdancing, will be introduced to the Games for the first time in Paris.
