Swimmers in pool ()
Every four years, a global sports phenomenon brings a combination of tears of joy and frustration, incredible highs, extreme lows and, often, scandals that rival drama-filled soap operas. The Olympic Games allow athletes to compete against each other to prove that their hard work, grit, and determination make them the best of the best. With the 2024 Paris Olympic Games just around the corner, here is a glimpse into what makes these Games so unique and how far they have come.
The Ancient Games
Established in the Peloponnesian city of Olympia, the namesake sporting event was first held in 776 B.C.E. as a tribute to the Greek god Zeus. Over five days, amateur athletes would compete in chariot racing, running, jumping, wrestling, boxing and throwing. On the third day, an extravagant feast featuring the sacrifice of cows and oxen was held to honor Zeus. The event became wildly popular among the Greeks. At one point, it became challenging to amass an army among the city-states to defend the country against invaders if the Olympics were being held. However, in a push to promote Christianity, Emperor Theodosius I banned all pagan activities in 393 C.E., which included the Olympic Games.
There are quite a few differences between the ancient Games and those of the modern era. Athletes competed in the buff, with boxers and wrestlers competing not just in the nude but also covered in oil. If a competitor had a false start in a race, the punishment was often a public flogging. Women were not allowed to compete or attend events. If you won an event, forget the medals. Instead, you received bragging rights, a wreath, a poem read upon returning to your hometown and a feast.
The Modern Era
After an absence spanning 1,500 years, a French nobleman named Baron Pierre de Coubertin formed the modern era’s first International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1984. Coubertin initially wanted the Olympics in Paris in 1900 to coincide with the International Expo. However, the committee was concerned about the six-year wait, so they proposed a sooner date and a different location. The reborn Games were held in Athens in 1896, paying homage to Greek origins.
Paris: Then and Now
This year, Paris will become the second city to host the Summer Olympics three times — 1900, 1924 and 2024. Much has changed in the 100 years since the French capital last hosted the Games. In 1924, there were 17 sports with a little over 3,000 athletes competing. This year, 32 sports, 329 events and more than 10,500 athletes will compete over 16 days. Interestingly, the Games will actually span two continents, as the surfing events will take place in Teahupo’o, Tahiti (French Polynesia).
The 2024 Paris Games will break ground as one of the first events not to hold the opening ceremony in a stadium. Instead, Paris will bring the Games to the heart of the city along the Seine. Teams will not parade along a track but via barges on the famed river traveling through the city. The ceremony is anticipated to draw more than 600,000 spectators to the riverbank. While many of the events have been sold out since tickets went on sale in spring 2023, some may still be available. Visit tickets.paris2024.org for ticket availability.
