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Paris Olympics: how is France preparing to host its first Games in 100 years?

  • With sports across 35 venues across France and Tahiti, and an opening ceremony on water, organisers have faced a variety of challenges

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Pedestrians walk past fences erected on the Alexandre III bridge Olympic site in Paris. Photo: AFP

The Paris 2024 Olympics start next Friday and run until August 11, while the Summer Paralympics will be held from August 28 to September 8.

Some 10,500 athletes from 206 nations and territories will compete across 32 sports in 35 venues, from Paris to Tahiti.

Here is everything you need to know about the Games, from the venues, to the opening ceremony, new sports and security issues.

Where will the Games take place?

In September 2017, the International Olympic Committee awarded Paris the 2024 Games when its only remaining rival, Los Angeles, agreed to wait another four years to be the host city.

The River Seine will be the site of the opening ceremony. Photo: AP
The River Seine will be the site of the opening ceremony. Photo: AP

Paris has hosted two Olympics and will stage the event 100 years after its last Games in 1924. The Games will be staged in 35 venues across Paris, Ile-de-France, mainland France and overseas.

Some notable venues are the Eiffel Tower Stadium (beach volleyball), Parc des Princes (football), Roland Garros Stadium (boxing and tennis), Stade de France (athletics and rugby sevens) and Teahupo’o in Tahiti (surfing).

Which sports will make their Olympic debuts?

Breaking, a competitive form of breakdancing that blends artistry and dance with acrobatic moves, will debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Having made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, karate was absent from the four sports organisers recommended for the 2024 Summer Games. Baseball-softball has also been dropped as a sport for Paris 2024 but will return at Los Angeles 2028.

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