THE Olympic Games 2024 are finally here, and Paris, France, is abuzz as the world’s top athletes gather for the biggest sporting event on the planet. From July 26 to August 11, approximately 10 500 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will compete for glory. As the action unfolds, here are five fun facts to enhance your Olympic experience and get you cheering on your favourite teams.
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1. For the first in the history of the Olympic Games, the opening ceremony, normally held in a stadium, will be held on the River Seine, the main waterway through Paris. Boats will ferry the traditional parade of athletes who will pass some of the iconic Parisian landmarks.
2. This year will mark the 100th year since the last Olympic Games was held in Paris. The last time Paris hosted the Olympics was in 1924. The Olympic Games are held every four years.
3. There is now an app for the Olympics where you can follow your favourite teams, get breaking news and, in some cases, enjoy live sports and mini-documentaries.
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4. The Olympic Games Paris 2024 mascot is Olympic Phryge. According to the Olympic Games website, the mascot is based on the traditional small Phrygian hats after which they are shaped. The name and design were chosen as symbols of freedom and to represent allegorical figures of the French Republic. The Olympic Phryge is decked out in blue, white and red – the colours of France’s famed tricolour flag – with the golden Paris 2024 logo emblazoned across its chest.
5. South Africa will make its 21st appearance overall at this year’s Olympic Games. According to the Olympic Games website, the Rainbow Nation has made nine consecutive appearances at the Olympic Games since Barcelona 1992.
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