Summer Olympics 2024 - a celebration of sport in France

🕗 7 minutes | July 5, 2024 | Text Mateusz Łapuć | Editor Klara Krysiak

The 2024 Summer Olympics is a special time when the eyes of sports fans turn to Paris. It is there that athletes from around the world will compete in 329 events in 32 disciplines.

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Olympic Games Paris - it sounds really great, however, did you know that the French capital has held the event twice before? That was quite a long time ago, more specifically in 1900 and 1924. Since then the world has changed 180 degrees, and with it the method of organizing the event, the Olympic disciplines and the way the Games are held.

The XXXIII Summer Olympic Games will be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11, 2024. The Olympic Opening Ceremony will take place on the Seine River on July 26, 2024 - the first time in history that such a major Olympic event will be inaugurated outside the stadium. More than 300,000 people will attend the ceremony. The Paralympic Games will be held from August 28 to September 8, 2024.

The first ancient Olympic Games were held in ancient Greece from 776 BC to 393 AD. They were held in honor of the most important Greek God Zeus and were an essential part of Greek history and culture.

After a gap of more than 1,500 years, this unique celebration of sports returned to Athens. Today it is held every four years, and the first modern Games were held there in 1896.

During this year's Olympic Events, athletes will compete in 32 Olympic disciplines, with breakdancing joining for the first time. The International Olympic Committee also made some changes, including reducing the number of competitions to 329, specifying full gender equality and reducing the number of athletes to 10500. Among this year's most popular Olympic disciplines, we can highlight:

• boxing, 
• canoeing, 
• athletics, 
• weightlifting, 
• shooting, 
• sailing, 
• swimming, 
• sports gymnastics,
• soccer.

Although the vast majority of Olympic competition will take place in and around Paris, some disciplines will also be held in other cities in France. Where else will the Olympic flag fly? In Lille, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lyon, Nantes, Nice, Saint-Étienne, and the island of Tahiti.

Which Olympic venues will host the Games? The competitions are scheduled to take place at the Stade de France stadium, the Olympic Aquatic Center in Saint-Denis, the Parc des Princes and the Stade Roland Garros, among others.

All the Olympic venues and disciplines cannot be described in one paragraph - the French capital itself will be divided into three zones - the Greater Paris Zone, the Paris Center Zone and the Versailles Zone.

The Games of the XXXIII Olympiad will be attended by 184 national Olympic committees, individual neutral athletes, as well as the Olympic refugee team.

The wide-ranging Polish national team and well-known profiles of Polish athletes will also take part in the Olympic competition. Our compatriots will compete for an Olympic medal in such disciplines as:

• boxing,
• golf,
  
• equestrianism,
• judo,
• canoeing,
• mountain biking, road and track cycling,
• basketball,
• athletics,
• archery,
• pentathlon,
• swimming,
• weightlifting,
• volleyball,
• water jumping,
• shooting,
• fencing,
• tennis,
• table tennis,
• triathlon,
• rowing,
• sport climbing,
• wrestling,
• sailing.

The wide composition of the Polish national team means that we have a chance to win medals in many Olympic disciplines, which we wholeheartedly wish our athletes!

While watching the Olympic competition, it's impossible to miss the local attractions and sights. The French capital offers interesting attractions and places to see, so combine the Olympic tournament with exploring the French city.

In moments of respite from the Olympic tournament, visit the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe and the nooks and crannies of the Palace of Versailles. Also stroll through the Luxembourg Garden, stroll down the Champs Elysees and visit the city's largest cemetery, Père-Lachaise.

Are you following the Olympic results live? After days full of excitement, discover more about French culture and art. Check out the Louvre Museum, the Orsay Museum and the Pompidou Center. During the summer Olympic sports, the city will also host summer festivals and outdoor concerts to further enhance your stay.

A visit to the French capital is a great opportunity to try local specialties in renowned restaurants, traditional bistros and street eateries. Taste baguettes, croissants, French cheeses and delicious desserts such as macarons and crème brûlée - these are culinary delicacies that deserve an Olympic medal!

When watching the XXXIII Summer Games live, be sure to plan your stay in advance. We recommend reading the schedule of competitions to organize your time accordingly and watch the sports that interest you most. Book your accommodation in advance and familiarize yourself with the location of the sports facilities.

Also remember that the Summer Olympics take place in late July and early August, when temperatures can be high. To that end, choose appropriate clothing and make sure you have adequate protection from the sun. Also book time for sightseeing, as there are plenty of attractions! Don't delay - book flights to Paris for your first Olympic Games.