Paris 2024 Olympic Village Opens As Athletes Arrive

By: Gyang Dakwo

Athletes from around the world have started arriving for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, as the Olympic Village officially opened its doors in the French capital today.

Approximately 10,500 athletes from the territories of 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team will compete in the Games, with the majority staying in the main 54-hectare Olympic Village, located on the banks of the River Seine in the north of the host city.

Additional athlete villages in Châteauroux, Lille, Marseille and Tahiti will also host those competing in shooting, basketball (preliminary round), handball, sailing and surfing.

President Bach was at the opening of the Olympic Village, along with Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet and IOC Coordination Commission Chair Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant.

The IOC President welcomed some of the athletes as they were entering the Village and attended the NOC Chefs de Mission meeting.

“Finally, we are here,” he said, as he praised the facilities that will be available to athletes during the Games. “It has been a long journey these seven years, but it has been a hugely rewarding one thanks to our friends at the Organising Committee under the leadership of Tony Estanguet and his team, who have worked closely with our IOC Coordination Commission under the leadership of Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant. We have a wonderful Olympic Village, and all the ingredients for a great Olympic Games are here.”

Afterwards, he took a tour of the Village, had breakfast with some officials and athletes, met volunteers and visited the accommodation of the French Olympic team.

The Olympic Games Paris 2024 will begin on 26 July and finish on 11 August. The Paralympic Games will then run from 28 August until 8 September.