Paris Olympics: C’est Parti!

Yes, this is indeed the summer of sports in France and the XXXIII Olympiad reaches its eagerly anticipated summit in July with the Olympics and Paralympic Games. Billed as the biggest event ever held in France, all eyes are on Paris, where, the organising committee say, they aspire to offer “games that are a popular, multicultural festival, a celebration to share with the rest of the world. They represent a new adventure that will embark France on an experience unlike anything it has seen before”. The most iconic Parisian landmarks are being transformed into sporting arenas to offer spectators an unparalleled experience and provide an outstanding backdrop for sporting prowess, with an outdoor opening ceremony focusing on the River Seine.

The numbers are just head-spinning: more than 350,000 hours of TV will be broadcast to millions of spectators worldwide from 41 venues, with 10,500 athletes, 20,000 accredited journalists, 31,500 volunteers and more than 600,000 meals served at the Athletes’ Village every day. These Games also usher in four new Olympic sports: breaking, sport climbing, skateboarding and surfing. The Olympic flame will be burning for the duration in front of the Louvre in the Tuileries Garden, until it’s time to pass the baton to Los Angeles 2028. Ouvrons Grand les jeux!

www.paris2024.org

From France Today Magazine