Nothing unites the nation quite like the Olympic Games.
Whether you’re cheering on Australia at a bar with strangers, or hosting family watch parties at home; it’s a time when the country comes together to rally behind our sporting stars.
It may feel like the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (which were held in 2021 thanks to a pandemic-related postponement) were only yesterday, but the 2024 Games will soon be kicking off in Paris. As always, Australia is sending the cream of our sporting crop—including swimmers Emma McKeon and Kaylee McKeown, as well as the star-studded Matildas squad—to compete on the global stage.
Hoping to cheer them on? Or have another question about the upcoming Olympic Games? Ahead, everything you could possibly need to know about the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, including when and where to watch in Australia.
When Are The 2024 Paris Olympics?
The 2024 Paris Olympics will officially commence on July 26 and run until August 11.
The games technically begin two days prior to the opening ceremony, though, with handball, football, archery and rugby sevens commencing on July 24.
The Summer Olympic Games have been held every four years since the inaugural event in Athens in 1986, with four exceptions. The event was skipped in 1916, 1940 and 1944 due to World Wars I and II. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics were held a year late in 2021, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Where Are The 2024 Olympics?
The 2024 Olympic games are in Paris for the third time. The French city previously hosted in 1900, 1924 and 2024.
The Stade de France in Saint-Denis, which has a capacity of over 80,000, is serving as the official Olympic stadium. Most notably, the swimming events will take place in the Seine.
However, the events will take place across 41 venues in 17 different cities—and not just in mainland France.
In addition to the 16 French locations, the French Polynesian island of Tahiti is hosting an event. The Olympics’ two-day surfing competition will take place almost 16,000km from Paris, in the village of Teahupo’o.
What Is The 2024 Olympic Mascot?
The mascot for the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics is Olympic Phryge.
Olympic Phryge takes the shape of a Phrygian cap, a traditional small hat that has long been a symbol of liberty and patriotism. It is, of course, dressed in blue, white and red—the colours of the French flag.
How To Watch The 2024 Olympics In Australia?
The 2024 Paris Olympics will be broadcast in Australia via the Nine Network.
You will be able to follow along on more than 40 free-to-air channels, and catch up on highlights for free via 9Now.
All Olympic events are also being broadcast both live and on-demand via Stan.
When And Where To Watch The Opening Ceremony Of The 2024 Paris Olympics?
For the first time in the history of the Summer Games, the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony (which will be the largest-ever) will take place outside of a stadium.
Athletes will travel through the heart of the city on the River Seine, passing thousands of spectators on the Seine’s lower quays.
The ceremony is set to begin at 8:24pm Paris Time. This will be 4:24am AEST (NSW, QLD, VIC, TAS and ACT), 3:54am ACST (SA and NT) and 2.24am AWST (WA) on July 27 for Australian viewers.
Related: All Of The People Rumoured To Be Performing At The Opening Ceremony
Are There New Sports At The Paris Olympics?
There are a total of 45 sports being played in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
In 2021, the Tokyo Olympics saw skateboarding, surfing, climbing and karate make their Olympic debuts. For the Paris 2024 games, only one new sport is being added; breakdancing, known as “breaking.” Per the official Olympics website, there will be a men’s and women’s comp, in which “16 B-Boys and 16 B-Girls will go face to face in spectacular solo battles.”
Some events have also been dropped since last year. Karate is not getting another go, unfortunately. Baseball and softball have also been removed from the roster however, they will be back for the 2028 Olympic games in Los Angeles.
How Many Australian Athletes Compete In The Olympics In 2024?
The 2024 Olympic Games will see around 10,500 athletes from 206 countries compete in Paris.
Australia is expected to send a team of between 460 to 480 athletes.
Who Is Australia’s Flag Bearer At The 2024 Paris Olympics?
The Australian flag bearer for the 2024 Paris Olympics is yet to be selected.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, two athletes were chosen to share the honour, with swimmer Cate Campbell and basketballer player Patty Mills serving as dual flag bearers.
When Are The 2024 Paralympics?
The 2024 Paralympic Games will follow the Summer Olympics.
The Paralympics will be held in Paris from August 28 to September 8, 2024.
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