The 2024 Olympics are starting today in Paris, with the opening ceremony this evening in the French capital. Throughout the event, 329 events will be contested across 32 sports, lasting until 11th August.
While some sports have already started, namely football, archery, handball, and rugby, the Opening Ceremony marks the official start of the quadrennial spectacle
Where to Watch the Paris 2024 Olympics?
In the UK, the Paris 2024 Olympics will be available to watch on BBC One, Two, and iPlayer. The broadcaster have a full schedule that you can refer to.
A select few events will be broadcast on BBC One and Two, with more options of what to watch available on BBC iPlayer.
New Sport Making Olympic Debut
Breaking has been unveiled as a new sport at this year's Olympics, making its debut and competing at La Concorde in Paris.
From epic face-offs to the biggest names in the game, we’ve got it all. Are you ready for breaking? Find out more here 👉 https://t.co/v8MIXAe98R#Breaking #GetReadyForTheBest #Paris2024 #Olympics #ReadyParisGo #Allianz pic.twitter.com/YFTrs03UPP
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 25, 2024
There will be no baseball in Paris, which has had inconsistent appearances at the game, as per the choice of the city, with the sports set to return for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Also, many Major League players were not allowed to compete - reducing the interest further.
What Sports are at the Games?
A list of the sports at this year's Olympic Games can be found below, within each sport, there is several events:
- Archery
- Artistic Gymnastics
- Artistic Swimming
- Athletics
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Basketball (3x3)
- Beach Volleyball
- Boxing
- Breaking
- Canoe Slalom
- Canoe Sprint
- Cycling BMX Freestyle
- Cycling Mountain Bike
- Cycling Road
- Cycling Track
- Diving
- Equestrian
- Fencing
- Football
- Golf
- Handball
- Hockey
- Judo
- Marathon Swimming
- Modern Pentathlon
- Rhythmic Gymnastics
- Rowing
- Rugby Sevens
- Sailing
- Shooting
- Skateboarding
- Sport Climbing
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Table Tennis
- Taekwondo
- Tennis
- Trampoline
- Triathlon
- Volleyball
- Water Polo
- Weightlifting
- Wrestling
Biggest Stories at this Year's Event
Youngest Competitor
The youngest competitor this year is China's Skateboarder, Haohao Zheng, who at just 11-years-old, becomes one of the youngest in the history of the Olympics. Her Chinese teammates, the oldest of which is 19, combine for an average age of 14.25.
Getting Started and One Last Dance
For the USA, the cherished flag-bearer position at the opening ceremony, will be taken up by Coco Gauff and LeBron James - two athletes at opposite ends of their Olympic careers. Gauff, 20, the 2023 US Open winner, will be a part of the USA's doubles team, facing Australia in the first round. James, on the other hand, is 39 and has competed in three Olympics, winning 2 golds and a bronze as part of his highly decorated 20-year basketball career.
Opening Ceremony Flag Bearer @CocoGauff. 🇺🇸
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 24, 2024
The moment Coco got the news from her teammate @chris_eubanks96… 🫢#ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/yjIWPjm6J1
Scottish Legend to Retire
Sir Andy Murray will take to court in Paris competing in doubles only, as he pulled out of the singles competition just days before the scheduled start. Murray, from Dunblane, is a two-time Wimbledon winner and Gold medalist.
In recent years, his career has struggled with injuries, with the former World #1 pulling out of the Wimbledon singles in a similar fashion, following a back injury in June.
Scottish Athletes at the Olympics
34 Scots, including 10 Glaswegians, will jet off to Paris as part of Team GB's Olympic efforts.
From athletics to taekwondo, and from household names to emerging stars, you can find the competitors to watch out for over the next couple of weeks here!
