Those famous five rings, in French style
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- Thierry Mathou
- Jul 21, 2024, 20:46 IST IST
The French ambassador explains why the Paris Olympics will be the ‘most innovative’ in the games’ history. And there’s an Indian connection behind the scenes
In four days, France will welcome the world for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Around 15,000 athletes from 206 nations will compete in 32 Olympic and 22 Paralympic sports, with over 15mn visitors expected. The Games are back in Paris for the third time in history, and after exactly 100 years since France last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1924. Because it’s such a historic event for France, and comes at a moment when the world is enduring international tensions and war, France has conceived the Paris 2024 Games as a unique reflection of the values it promotes globally: innovation, sustainability, solidarity and equality.
Innovation | Innovation is at the heart of the Paris Games. On July 26, the Opening Ceremony will for the first time in the Summer Olympics’ history take place not within a stadium but out in the city, along Seine river — a symbol of our eagerness to be open to all. Innovation is in competition venues too: rather than building new, ad hoc infra, 95% of all venues are either existing or temporary, with many events being held at Paris’ most iconic landmarks.
Innovation | Innovation is at the heart of the Paris Games. On July 26, the Opening Ceremony will for the first time in the Summer Olympics’ history take place not within a stadium but out in the city, along Seine river — a symbol of our eagerness to be open to all. Innovation is in competition venues too: rather than building new, ad hoc infra, 95% of all venues are either existing or temporary, with many events being held at Paris’ most iconic landmarks.