Exactly a century after it first hosted Olympics in 1924, Paris is preparing to repeat the feat in 2024 as it welcomes the Summer Olympics again. France is putting everything in place to recreate a memorable sports event, especially as the Tokyo Olympics got hit by Covid-19 pandemic.

Host France promises that the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic will be an unforgettable experience, widespread across the capital infused with the spirit of togetherness and unity.

On July 26, 2024, a truly spectacular Opening Ceremony will meet the eyes of the world at the city of Paris, proudly promoting the values of Olympism. The ambitious project, the result of intensive collaboration between hundreds of stakeholders, will bring joy to Parisians, Île-de-France residents and tourists alike.

To make the ceremony truly unique, France has decided to host the event all over the city rather than be restrained in one stadium. The athletes will be transported past the grand quays and under the iconic bridges of Seine in a majestic flotilla of boats and the ceremony will be accessible to all.

The choice to launch the Paris Games on the Seine is a bold one and part of a long-term strategy. Building on the opening of the embankments to pedestrians in 2016, the idea is to continue reconnecting Parisians and residents with the river, opening up more opportunities to engage in sport by the water or simply take walks to admire the surroundings. The Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the history of France, with swimming in the Seine itself.

“Rest assured, the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony will be nothing short of magical. Its staging will be ground-breaking. It will be a ceremony for the people, open to one and all. It will show the world the very best of France. A party like no other… and the world is invited!” says Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024.

France is trying to utilise the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games not only as an opportunity to promote the City of Lights, its heritage and all its novelties, innovations and new sustainable modes of transport, but also to promote the wealth of tourism in France’s other cities and overseas territories, through sailing events in Marseille and surfing in Tahiti.

Apart from the ongoing preparation of the Olympics and Paralympics, France is also preparing for hosting two major sporting events before 2024. In 2023, it is planning to host the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships and the Rugby World Cup France.