The 2024 Summer Olympics officially kicked off in Paris, France on July 26 with a Opening ceremony outside along the famous city street Seine The river before the sporting competitions. About 10,500 athletes will parade in the Parade of Nations, and then these top competitors – many of whom have trained for years for a chance to compete in the coveted gold, silver and bronze medals — will compete in their sport during the 16 days of competition.
From July 26 until the Olympic Closing Ceremony on August 11, athletes will compete in 32 different sports categories, from archery to table tennis. Spectators from around the world will gather to watch their favorite athletes, such as Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky, in swimming and gymnastics, among others. Tennis star Coco Gauff will officiate the Games. American Team at the Paris Olympic Games three years later miss the Tokyo Games due to a positive COVID-19 test.
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What were the original Olympic sports played at the first Summer Games?
Ancient Olympic sports included running, long jump, shot put, javelin throw, boxing, pankration (a combat sport, a sort of ancient equivalent of modern mixed martial arts), and equestrian events. Originally held over a single day until 684 BC, the Olympic Games were expanded to three days, and then to five days, to accommodate the multitude of sporting events available to participants.
Some ancient sports techniques, like the discus throw, haven’t changed much, but other techniques have evolved a lot over the years. Boxers in the ancient Olympics wrapped straps around their hands to strengthen their wrists and stabilize their fingers, but over time, athletes began using straps made of hard leather. These straps often disfigured their opponent’s face. Jumpers competed with heavy weights during their jumps, dropping them at the end of their flight.
What are the new Olympic sports for the 2024 Games?
For the first timeAthletes will be able to compete in breaking — an urban dance started in the United States — which was added to the Olympics as a new sport at the Paris 2024 GamesThe athletes will compete in two events – one for men and one for women – where 16 men and 16 women will compete in solo breakdance battles.
What are the most overlooked Olympic sports?
The competitions will take place at 35 venues divided into three general zones, the Olympics said. Paris will host 13 sports, the Paris region will host 12 sports and the rest of France will host 10 sports.
Some of the lesser-known Olympic sports include Olympic trampoline, in which athletes bounce at least 8 meters in the air while doing somersaults and somersaults; rugby sevens, in which athletes play intense matches lasting 14 minutes; and modern pentathlon. The modern pentathlon, which was introduced to the Olympic program in 1912 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, consists of four events combining five sports: running, equestrian, swimming, fencing and shooting.
Full list of 2024 Summer Olympic sports
- Water sports (swimming, swimming marathon, diving, water polo, artistic swimming)
- Archery
- Athletics
- Badminton
- Basketball (3×3, basketball)
- Boxing
- Breakup*
- Canoeing (canoe sprint, canoe slalom)
- Cycling (BMX freestyle, BMX racing, road cycling, track cycling)
- Horse riding (equestrian competition, equestrian dressage, show jumping)
- Fencing
- Soccer
- Golf
- Gymnastics (artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline gymnastics)
- Handball
- Hockey
- Judo
- Modern Pentathlon
- Rowing
- Rugby (rugby 7)
- Veil
- Filming
- Skateboarding*
- Sport climbing*
- Surfing*
- Table tennis
- Taekwondo
- Tennis
- Triathlon
- Volleyball (beach volleyball, volleyball)
- Bodybuilding
- Wrestling (Greco-Roman wrestling, freestyle wrestling)
