The countdown to the long-awaited Paris 2024 Olympic Games has begun. After the previous Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, on 26 July 2024 this international sporting event will kick off, bringing together the best athletes from more than 45 disciplines, coming from all over the world. No more and no less than 10,500 athletes will participate.
The United States, China and Japan were the countries on the podium at the last Olympic Games. Which countries will be on the podium at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
New sporting disciplines
Soccer, the most awaited spectacle
The Phyrges
Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
New sporting disciplines
Athletics, football, basketball, tennis, handball… countless sports are the protagonists since the Olympic Games have become popular in this new modern era.
However, this great event does not lag behind and every new year includes a new sport. This year, at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, it is the turn of breaking, also known as breakdancing. Only 16 athletes, both male and female categories, will be competing for medals on 9 and 10 August. The Place de la Concorde will be the stage for this innovative exhibition.
At the last Olympic Games, sport climbing, skateboarding and surfing debuted as new disciplines, which we will see again this year.
Soccer, the most awaited spectacle
If any sport is the star of the world, it is football. 16 countries with men’s football representation have qualified for this sporting event, which will have fans around the world on tenterhooks. France, Argentina, Paraguay, USA, Dominican Republic, Spain, Israel, Ukraine, Morocco, Egypt, Mali, New Zealand, Japan, Uzbekistan, Iraq and Guinea.
Brazil, the last champion after beating Spain at the Tokyo Olympics, will not participate in this edition. Who will be the new winner – Messi’s Argentina, France without Mbappé, or Spain after losing in their previous final? On 9 August at the final in the Parc des Princes we will have the answer, but if you don’t want to miss any of the games, here is the football calendar.
The women’s football competition promises the same exhibition. In this case, 12 countries will be fighting for gold. France, Colombia, Canada, New Zealand, USA, Zambia, Germany, Australia, Spain, Japan, Nigeria and Brazil. Although Spain is among the favourites to win the gold medal, the path will not be easy. Canada’s players are the reigning Olympic champions, and this will be Colombia’s third appearance at the Olympic Games. The women’s final will be on 10 August, where we will know which players will win the most desired achievement, winning an Olympic gold medal.
The Phyrges
There is no Olympic Games without a mascot as a protagonist. For the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the official mascots are ‘Les Phryges’.
The Phryges have been inspired by the mythical French Phrygian caps, which have always symbolised freedom, as well as being a characterization of the Republic. Likewise, the colours of these masks are blue, white and red, a clear representation of the French flag.
Linking the whole story told by ‘Les Phryges’, their motto is ‘Alone we go faster, but together we go further’. Once again, referring to freedom and calling for collaboration between all of us to achieve a better world.
Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games deserve the same importance. The relevance of this sporting event is that it goes beyond the competitiveness inside the stadiums, this event is a clear showcase to, through the disabilities of elite athletes, inspire people and provoke a change in societies around the world.
The Paris Paralympic Games will take place from 28 August to 8 September, 12 days where nearly 4,400 athletes will compete for Olympic gold. If you don’t want to miss any battle for the podium, here is the calendar of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
The truth is that the participation and numbers of this event are increasing all the time. Here’s a quick summary of what’s going to happen this year:
- 11 days of competition
- 182 participating countries
- 4,400 athletes taking part
- 22 sporting disciplines, with 549 medal events
- 17 sports venues
- 3.4 million tickets on sale
For the first time in history, the emblem as well as the mascots will be the same at the Paralympic Games and the Olympic Games. The emblem consists of a gold medal, a flame and a representation of Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic. The mascot, as mentioned above, is ‘Les Phyrges’.
This July, August and September are going to be a dream for sports fans around the world. Starting in July with the Olympic Games and ending in September with the Paralympic Games, the rivalry on the track between countries is guaranteed. Which country do you think will win the most medals?
