The Olympic Games have a rich history, dating back to the first Summer Olympics held in 1896 in Athens, Greece, which saw participation from athletes representing 13 nations. Since then, the marathon has remained a cornerstone of Olympic events.
Paris will host the 33rd Summer Olympic Games, commencing with the opening ceremony on July 26th and concluding on August 11th. The event will feature 10,500 athletes competing in 329 events, representing 206 countries. Fans are in for an unparalleled experience, as the games and events will capture the luxurious essence of Paris itself.
The Olympics have evolved significantly over the years, with numerous sports being added to the lineup. This year is no exception, as a plethora of competitions await, sure to captivate the interest of younger audiences.
What’s New?
We're accustomed to witnessing sports like basketball, gymnastics, and beach volleyball, but the secret’s finally out. Breakdancing, also known as breaking, will debut as an official event in the upcoming Paris Olympics. This marks a historic moment as breaking takes center stage for the first time in Olympic history. Alongside this groundbreaking addition, we'll witness the return of several events that made their debut in the Tokyo Olympics, as the quest for excellence continues, scouting for the world's finest athletes.
Breakdancing
Originating in the Bronx during the 1970s, Breaking emerged as a distinctive style of dance. Since its inception, it has undergone a remarkable evolution, transforming into a fiercely competitive sport. Today, it boasts international events, a comprehensive judging system, and prestigious world championships, solidifying its place as a global phenomenon.
The captivating art of breakdancing stole the spotlight during the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina, captivating over 1 million viewers as they tuned in to witness the mesmerizing head-spinning and back-flipping dance battles, as reported by NBC Olympics. Today, breakdancing has ascended to the grandest stage of all: the Olympic Games.
The competition features two separate events, one for men and another for women, each showcasing 16 talented individuals, affectionately referred to as b-boys and b-girls. The format involves thrilling one-on-one battles, progressing through a round-robin stage, followed by quarter-finals, semifinals, and culminating in the ultimate medal showdown. Notably, breaking stands out for its element of surprise: participants, regardless of gender, must adapt and improvise their dance moves on the spot, responding to music they haven't heard beforehand.
Don't miss out! Mark your calendars for August 9th and 10th, when the electrifying Breakdancing events are set to take place at the Concorde, a popular outdoor Parisian square.
Round 2 of Skateboarding
Once more, the world's elite skateboarders will convene in Paris for the Summer Games, following their debut at the Tokyo Games. Emerging in the 1950s, skateboarding was a spinoff of surfing which captured the attention of many across the United States. The competition consists of two styles, resulting in a total of four events that encompass both men's and women's categories.
Sports Climbing Comeback
Another event reintroduced during the Tokyo Olympics and set to return for the 2024 Games is sport climbing. Climbers face the challenge of scaling a 15-meter wall (approximately 50 feet) within a six-minute timeframe, all without prior knowledge of the route. In lead climbing, athletes aim to get as high as possible on the wall. The higher they climb, the more points they accumulate, but they have only one attempt to reach their peak.
Surfing Beyond Paris
The Tokyo Olympics introduced several new events, including surfing. Since Paris lacks coastal access, this event will take place in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, renowned for its exceptional surfing conditions and formidable waves.
Other Changes to Expect
Artistic Swimming: Men participate for the first time, with a new team acrobatic routine round introduced.
Boxing: A women’s weight class is added, while a men’s class is removed, resulting in seven men's and six women's weight categories.
Sailing: Two kite events are included, and boat types are revised, with a total of 10 events.
Shooting: The mixed skeet team event replaces the mixed team trap.
Track and Field: The marathon race walk mixed relay replaces the men’s 50km race walk. A
repechage round, or "lucky losers" format, is introduced for races between 200m and 1500m.
Volleyball: Teams are divided into three pools of four instead of two pools of six, with each team playing three matches in the pool phase.
Weightlifting: The number of weight classes is reduced from 14 to 10.
Where to Watch?
To catch all the action from the comfort of your home, simply tune in to your local news station, where the games are likely to be aired. Canadian viewers can enjoy the broadcast on CBC, while those in the US can tune in to NBC.
Following the Games
Feel like 17 days of non-stop competitive sports isn't sufficient? Dive into the Paralympics, from August 28th to September 8th, featuring 4,400 athletes across 549 events from 184 countries.
