7 fast facts about the Paris Olympics starting today!

The world will be taking a break from global politics and turning its attention to the top athletes competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics which start today and run until Sunday, 11 August 2024. Competitors from 206 countries will be descending on the City of Lights in the hope of walking away with the gold.

1. Gender equality

For the first time in Olympic history, women will not be outnumbered by men. This year will welcome 5 250 athletes with 50% men and 50% women. This is a major step in the drive for global gender equality.

2. More sports

Another first in the sporting codes is a number of new additions! Get ready to watch breaking (an urban dance style with origins in hip hop), sport climbing, skateboarding, and surfing for the first time, with the return of 3×3 basketball.

3. French venues

Surfing? In Paris? You might be confused, but this is a good question. Actually, while Paris is the main host city and 16 other French cities will also host some of the games, the surfing will take place in the French territory of Tahiti, on the Pacific Ocean’s legendary Teahupo’o waves.

4. 3rd time’s the charm

Paris will join London as the only cities to have hosted the Olympics three times. London first hosted in 1908, then in 1948, and more recently in 2012. Paris hosted first in 1900 and then in 1924 – waiting a full century to host again!

5. Central feature

The iconic Eiffel Tower will not only be the temporary outdoor arena for beach volleyball, but will also form part of the Olympic medals. Each Olympic medal is infused with iron from the original Eiffel Tower completed in 1889. These pieces were cut from parts of the tower saved from renovations over the years.

6. A watery start

Breaking in tradition somewhat, this year’s Olympic Games will not see athletes enter a stadium for the opening ceremony, but rather on a boat which will parade down the Seine flowing through Paris.

7. The friendly hat
This year’s Olympic mascot will be, quite oddly, a hat. But this is not just any hat, it’s a phryge which is a traditional hat worn by French revolutionaries, depicting liberty.

Follow all the competitive action by checking out the 2024 Paris Olympic schedule at https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/schedule/

SOURCES:
www.insidegymnastics.com
www.aljazeera.com
www.myfrenchcountryhomemagazine.com

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