11 Sports to Watch Out for in the Paris 2024 Olympics
Dhwani Shah
July 29, 2024
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5 min read
Every four years, the world unites for an extraordinary display of athleticism, determination, grit and solidarity. Dating back around 3000 years, the Olympic Games are more than just a series of events and competitions; they are a global celebration of human potential and the pursuit of excellence. As the world turns its eyes towards the City of Light, the 2024 Games promises to deliver unforgettable moments, historical feats, and the crowning of new champions across a multitude of sports. From iconic venues to a vibrant city backdrop, the Paris Olympics will showcase the pinnacle of sports supremacy and also highlight the rich history and culture of the host city.
With approximately 10,500 athletes competing across 329 events over 19 days, the 2024 Summer Olympics will cater to all tastes and interests, ensuring there's something for every fan to cheer about - whether it's the electrifying sprints of track and field, the breathtaking acrobatics of gymnastics, or the tactical prowess of team sports.
Here are the top 11 sports to look forward to this Summer Olympics:
Breaking (commonly known as breakdancing) is all set to make its Olympic debut this year. Originating in the 1970s as a popular part of hip-hop culture in the Bronx, breaking is a sport that combines dance and athleticism, requiring flexibility, balance, coordination and strength.
To be held at the Place de la Concorde, the largest public square in Paris, B-Boys and B-Girls (as the athletes are referred to) will compete in one-on-one battles where they will be judged on their creativity and technique, among other criteria. From gravity-defying spins to intricate footwork, get ready for a dance-off like never before!
Artistic swimming, formerly known as synchronized swimming, is a mesmerizing blend of dance, gymnastics, and swimming, where athletes perform coordinated and intricate acrobatic routines to music in a swimming pool. This sport demands exceptional strength, flexibility, endurance, and precise timing as swimmers execute lifts, spins, and synchronized movements both above and below the water's surface.
At the Olympics, the sport consists of two events - a duet and a team competition. The duet event consists of a technical and a free routine, while the team event additionally consists of an acrobatic routine. 2024 will mark the first time male athletes will be allowed to compete in the sport in the team event.
With its captivating confluence of athleticism, grace, and artistry, rhythmic gymnastics is quite the popular Olympic sport. This sport combines elements of gymnastics, dance, and calisthenics, with athletes performing complex routines set to music, just like in artistic swimming.
Utilizing apparatus such as ribbons, hoops, balls, clubs, and ropes, gymnasts execute fluid, rhythmic movements, including jumps and rotations, that require immense flexibility, strength, coordination and agility. Each routine is a carefully choreographed display of skill and creativity, making rhythmic gymnastics one of the most mesmerizing and elegant events in the Olympic Games. And of course, the colorful, shimmering leotards add to the charm!
Also, don’t forget to catch the artistic gymnastics events, as Simone Biles attempts to add to her already impressive medal tally!
Wimbledon fever has barely ebbed, and tennis fans are already gearing up for another round of greatness at this year's Olympics. Taking place at the glorious Roland Garros clay courts, Paris 2024 promises a star-studded lineup.
Expect to see legends like Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray alongside rising stars like Jannik Sinner, Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff, each vying for Olympic glory. However, the most anticipated pairing is undoubtedly the Spanish doubles team of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. Representing the perfect blend of seasoned experience and fresh talent, this duo will be a must-watch for tennis enthusiasts everywhere.
The 2024 Olympics will feature two basketball formats - the traditional 5x5 and the newer 3x3. The original 5x5 format will see some of the biggest basketball stars take center stage, with legends like LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant playing for the USA. Serbia’s Nikola Jokic and host country’s Victor Wembanyama are other NBA stars that will add to the sport’s allure. Women’s basketball also anticipates exciting games as we will see the likes of Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson on court.
Introduced at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the shorter 3x3 variant features two teams of three players each, battling it out on a half-court with a single hoop, guaranteeing intense and fast-paced games.
Beach volleyball is poised to be a highlight of the 2024 Games, thanks to the stunning backdrop of the Eiffel Tower in the heart of Paris. The Eiffel Tower Stadium will provide a unique and picturesque setting for energetic matches, combining the thrill of world-class athletic competition with the beauty and history of one of the world’s most famous landmarks.
Spectators can expect to witness top athletes from around the globe showcasing their skills in the sand, making every spike, serve, and dive even more memorable in this extraordinary location. The fusion of sport and scenery undoubtedly makes beach volleyball one of the must-watch events of the Paris Olympics.
If you’re looking forward to witnessing exciting sports at stunning venues, don’t miss the equestrian events at the magnificent Château de Versailles.
The historic Grand Palais, known for its resplendent nave and glass roof, will host Taekwondo at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Taekwondo, which translates to “the art of kicking and punching”, is a spirited showcase of skill, strategy, and strength. As one of the most dynamic martial arts, Taekwondo will see elite competitors executing high-flying kicks, precise strikes, and rapid movements, each bringing their distinctive flair and rigorous training to the mat.
Nations like Vietnam, Afghanistan and Jordan, among others, have won their first-ever Olympic medals through Taekwondo, while Iran and Cote d’Ivoire have their first-ever female medals. It’ll certainly be interesting to watch if any other nations create history through the combat sport at this edition of the Games.
While the Olympic Games boast phenomenal venues in the heart of Paris, the surfing competition will be held 9,500 miles away, albeit in an equally extraordinary location. The event will be held at Teahupo’o on the French Polynesian island of Tahiti, known for its serene, picturesque setting and some of the world's most formidable waves. This quiet fishing village will transform into a thrilling battleground where surfers must showcase remarkable skills and tricks to conquer the powerful might of the water and earn the coveted Olympic medal.
Surfing was also one of the new Olympic sports to be introduced at the 2020 Olympics, and will appear at the Games for just the second time.
With its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, which saw Sky Brown’s stellar performance, where she clinched bronze at just 13 years old, skateboarding has catapulted into the global spotlight.
Athletes will compete in two disciplines: park and street. The park arena requires athletes to perform tricks and jumps mid-air on a course featuring bowls and bends, while the street event will highlight technical prowess and style on urban-inspired obstacles like stairs, slopes and handrails. With its gravity-defying tricks and vibrant culture, this dynamic sport is expected to be a crowd favorite once again.
Replace the skateboard with a bike, and you get high-octane excitement in the form of Bicycle Motocross (BMX) Freestyle. This exhilarating sport combines technical skill with creative flair as riders perform dramatic tricks, flips and stunts on their BMX bikes.
This event will take place in an urban park with a course featuring obstacles like ramps, walls and spines, where athletes will showcase their daring moves and unique styles in 60 seconds, aiming to impress judges with their precision, difficulty and originality. With breathtaking 360 degree turns and jaw-dropping ‘Supermans’, BMX Freestyle is sure to be a standout event at the Paris Olympics.
Sport climbing, too, makes its return to the Summer Olympics in Paris 2024 after its Tokyo 2020 debut, bringing with it a compelling blend of strength, agility, and precision. The young sport (with around 39% of the climbers being under 18) involves three distinct formats: lead climbing, bouldering, and speed climbing, each showcasing different facets of climbing expertise.
In this year’s edition of the Games, athletes will compete in two events: one, a combined competition of bouldering and lead events, and the other, a speed event. The challenging routes at the Le Bourget Climbing venue, built especially for Paris 2024, are set to push climbers to their limits, offering a spectacle of daring ascents and strategic athleticism.
The Olympic Games are a sensational display of dedication, skill, and sportsmanship. As we eagerly await the start of the Paris 2024 Olympics, these popular Olympic sports are set to captivate audiences around the globe. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to these sports, there's something for everyone to enjoy. So, mark your calendars, set your alarms, and get ready to cheer for your favorite nations and athletes as they strive for glory in la Ville Lumière.