- Paris 2024 competitions get underway after the Opening Ceremony.
Paris, July 27, 2024 — After the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, competitions in the Olympic events in archery, football, handball, and rugby sevens have begun in Paris and across France, treating fans to thrilling action. The men’s rugby sevens tournament drew sellout crowds to the Stade de France for group-stage matches and quarter-finals. Hosts France and defending champions Fiji were the big attractions. France secured their spot in the semi-finals with a 26-14 triumph over Argentina, with their global superstar Antoine Dupont scoring the final try.
Teammate Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, who scored two tries in the quarter-final, expressed his emotions, saying, “To play in front of 69,000 people is something I could not imagine doing in my whole life. I know there’s still a long way to go, but that moment gave us crazy emotions. I was almost in tears at the end.”
The women’s handball preliminary round began at the South Paris Arena. Simultaneously, Les Invalides welcomed the men’s and women’s individual ranking rounds in archery, with the Republic of Korea’s Lim Si-hyeon setting the first world record of Paris 2024 with an astonishing score of 694 in the women’s event. Athletes from both sports were impressed with the Olympic venues and crowds.
German archer Michelle Kroppen remarked, “The stadium is amazing. It’s one of the most beautiful and famous places we’ve ever shot.”
Additionally, the men’s and women’s football tournaments have kicked off, with group-stage matches held in various existing venues across France. This highlights the Paris 2024 organizers’ aim to involve the whole nation, which aligns with their vision of “Games Wide Open.”
The Olympic Village has been bustling with athletes since it opened on July 18. Hockey competitions start on July 27, right after the Opening Ceremony. Ireland’s David Harte and his team have been enjoying the atmosphere and using the available services before they play their first match against the defending Olympic champions Belgium.
There is an opportunity to showcase French sports, arts, culture, and heritage. Some athletes have already experienced the passion local communities have for the Games.
The Australian gymnastics team stayed in Combs-la-Ville, a commune in the south-eastern suburbs of Paris, for a training camp before arriving at the Olympic Village. The experience left a lasting impression on the team due to the warm welcome they received.
“The community there embraced them, with a local gymnastics club filling the gym to cheer them on during their training sessions,” said Australia’s Chef de Mission Anna Meares, an Olympic champion in track cycling. “Somewhere between 400 and 500 people attended each session. It’s a wonderful demonstration of what the Olympics represent and how they unite communities. It will be a lasting Olympic memory for many in that village and our gymnasts.”
A record 8.8 million tickets have been sold for Paris 2024, showing massive interest in the Games in France and internationally. Approximately 10,500 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team will compete in 32 sports and 329 medal events.
Paris 2024 will be the first Games with complete gender parity on the field of play, showcasing the IOC’s progress in promoting gender equality.
Ninety-five percent of the 35 venues are existing or temporary structures, demonstrating Paris 2024’s commitment to hosting environmentally responsible Games. Carbon emissions will be reduced by 50% compared to Rio 2016 and London 2012, with a pledge to utilize 100% renewable energy.
After the Games, the Olympic Village will be repurposed into 2,500 new homes, accommodating up to 6,000 people, with 25% planned as public housing. Additionally, 400km of new bike lanes have been added to the existing public transport network, making green travel more accessible for French citizens.
The Olympic Games Paris 2024 will run from July 26 to August 11.
Source: International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Images provided by & copyright © IOC.
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