The Summer Olympics will take place from July 26 to Aug. 11, 2024 in Paris. There are many expected changes for both the Games and the city of Paris as a result.
The Seine
In a recent article, Le Parisien revealed that the city of Paris plans to clean the Seine for the upcoming Olympics. The plan will allow the 10K and triathlon events to take place in the Seine.
In addition, the plan will allow Parisians to swim in the Seine for the first time since 1923. Restoring the Seine will make the city cleaner and more enjoyable.
New Events
Paris 2024 will have four new disciplines for spectators to enjoy.
First is breaking, inspired by hip-hop dance and popularized in the United States during the 1970s. The event consists of breakers performing their “power moves” in front of a DJ. The dancers must adapt their style to match the music and impress judges.
Skateboarding is also new to the Olympic Games this Summer. Skaters will compete in both the park and the street. The park version of the event will feature varied terrain while combining speed and height. In contrast, the street version will allow skaters to perform tricks on features such as rails.
Surfing is also entering the Games. The event will take place on the other side of the world in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, an island in French Polynesia.
Lastly, Paris 2024 will host sport climbing.
The Paralympic Games
The Paralympic Games will take place from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
“France is lagging far behind in terms of accessibility,” said deputy general director of APF France Handicap Patrice Tripoteau in an interview with Le Monde.
Access to public transportation for people with disabilities in Paris is difficult. The City of Paris intends to implement some changes including 200 free buses to transport people with reduced mobility to the competition sites, accessible taxis, additional lanes for public transport and more.
It will not be the first time that the French capital is organizing this type of event. On Oct. 8, 2022, the first Paralympic Day was held in the city. This July, Paris organized the World Paralympic Athletics Championships. Furthermore, in October, they hosted the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup.