National pride. Intense competitions. Gold medal champions. In two years, the biggest names in sports will come ready to compete on the world stage once again in the Summer 2024 Olympics. For the third time in history, the games are set to take place in Paris, France. From July 26 through August 11, 2024, Paris will welcome nearly 10,000 athletes and tens of thousands of spectators in attendance — not to mention the billions watching from overseas. So, how is France preparing for the world-renowned event? Let’s look into the event’s key areas of focus, spanning from open-air venues and sustainability initiatives to translators and interpreters.
Open-Air Venues
All eyes on Paris is the mindset. Organizers want the true beauty and culture of Paris to stand at the center of attention during every event. For the opening ceremony parade of nationals, a 163-boat flotilla will take to the Seine River, passing through the city’s most iconic landmarks including the Notre Dame cathedral, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower. From the quays along the river, spectators can watch the opening and closing ceremonies for free without purchasing high-priced tickets, as has been historically required at past ceremonies. Some games, including beach volleyball, will be played at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and equestrian events will be held at the Palace of Versailles, giving the world a glimpse into Paris’ rich architectural and art history.
Sustainability
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is placing carbon neutral games at the forefront of its new sustainability strategy model by building a concept relying on 95% of existing or temporary infrastructures and famous landmarks. With events hosted in existing infrastructures and landmarks across the city, it will help reduce the production of building brand new stadiums solely for the Olympics and will become the first climate-positive international sporting event.
Translators and Interpreters
English and French will be the two official languages for the Olympics. As an international event, investing in translators and interpreters is a top priority to ensure the best level of communication between all athletes, organizers, and spectators. With a global audience, professional translators and interpreters, as well as volunteers, will be assigned front-row seats to act as a language guide throughout the games.
Want to cheer for your favorite athletes and teams from around the world as they compete for gold medals? Luckily, obtaining tickets to the games is more accessible and inclusive than ever. With almost 10 million tickets in the lottery set to go on sale in late 2022, it will be the first time in the history of the games that tickets will be sold only online and accessible worldwide. Given the popularity of the games, a draw will give everyone an equal opportunity of trying to obtain a ticket. In addition, single tickets will go on sale May 2023 and all remaining available tickets will go on sale in late 2023. Mark your calendars and let the countdown begin!