Paris 2024 Olympic Games | Practical information

ATHLETICS

Athletics was included in the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. This long history has made it the ‘king sport’ of the Summer Olympics, contributing to its popularity. 

The men's programme has remained virtually unchanged since the 1932 Games in Los Angeles, with the exception of the 20km walk added in 1956 in Melbourne. Women have been competing in athletics since 1928. The women's programme, which consisted of just 17 events until 1992, is now almost equivalent to that of the men since the addition of the 3,000 m steeplechase in 2008.

At the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021 (postponed by a year because of the pandemic), Kevin Mayer was the only French medallist, winning silver in the decathlon.

With 48 events, including 43 at the Stade de France, athletics is the individual sport with the most events and the most participants at the Games, thanks to the diversity of its disciplines, ranging from sprinting to middle-distance, including jumps and throws, as well as combined events. 

The track programme includes men's and women's sprint, middle-distance and long-distance events, as well as hurdles, steeplechases and relays. All these events take place on the Olympic Stadium track, which is 400 metres long with two straights and two bends.

Two combined events feature on the Olympic programme: the women's heptathlon (seven events) and the men's decathlon (ten events). They take place over two days and test the athletes in a series of varied events, crowning the most complete among them.

The competitions take place around the Olympic stadium track. They include jumping events (high jump and pole vault), long jump and triple jump in a sand pit, as well as throws (shot put, discus, hammer) from a circle and the javelin throw on a dedicated track. Athletes compete in turn, with qualifying rounds leading to a final.
 

SEVEN RUGBY

The history of rugby at the Olympic Games spans several periods. Initially played with fifteen players, rugby made a comeback in 2016 in Rio in its sevens version.  

From 1900 to 1924, a men's 15-a-side tournament was on the programme, with victories for France, Australasia and the United States. 
Since Rio 2016, sevens rugby has made a comeback. At the Tokyo 2021 Games, New Zealand won the women's tournament and Fiji the men's tournament.

In 2024, 24 teams (12 men's and 12 women's) are taking part in the Paris Games, with an intense, fast-paced tournament format over two three-day periods.

THE CLOSING CEREMONY

The Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris 2024 will be marked by boldness, fraternity and emotion. Athletes from around the world will come together one last time at the Stade de France for a moment of celebration and sharing. On 8 September 2024, Paris will pass the baton to Los Angeles, host city of the 2028 Games.