Paris Olympics 2024
Get ready for the world’s biggest sports celebration as the Paris 2024 Olympics light up the City of Light! Athletes from around the globe will descend on Paris, bringing their best to a spectacular array of events. Picture the thrill of beach volleyball at the Eiffel Tower, marathon runners sprinting down the Champs-Élysées, and climbers reaching new heights in sport climbing’s second Olympic appearance. Paris, known for its rich history and stunning architecture, sets the stage for an unforgettable Olympic experience.
The city isn’t just about the excitement of the Games; it’s also committed to sustainability, with eco-friendly initiatives ensuring a greener future. The 2024 Olympics blend tradition and innovation, showcasing the best of human athleticism and spirit in one of the world’s most iconic cities. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to the Games, from July 26 to August 11, 2024, the Paris Olympics promise unforgettable moments, fierce competition, and a global celebration of unity and excellence.
When and Where
The Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony lights up on Friday, July 26, marking the official start. But the games kick into gear early on Wednesday, July 24, with football, rugby sevens, handball, and archery starting up with their pool matches.
Instead of the usual stadium setup, this time the grand opening will dazzle along the River Seine. The action keeps rolling on until it wraps up with a bang at the closing ceremony on the evening of August 11th 2024.
Key Dates For RSA
South Africa is gearing up for the 2024 Paris Olympics with a dynamic team of athletes ready to compete across various sports. Let’s take a look at some of the key participants and their events.
Rugby kicks of on the 24th of July followed by the aquatics starting on the 27th. Follow it all including hockey, rugby and aquatics from 27th onwards.
Pieter Coetzee will dive into the 100m and 200m backstroke and Chad le Clos aims for gold in the 100m butterfly. Matthew Sates tackles the 100m and 200m butterfly as well as the 200m individual medley.
Aimee Canny swims in the 200m freestyle and Kaylene Corbett competes in the 200m breaststroke. Erin Gallagher races the 100m butterfly and Rebecca Meder takes on the 200m individual medley. While Tatjana Smith (Schoenmaker) goes for gold in the 100m and 200m breaststroke. Julia Vincent will showcase her diving skills in the 3m springboard event.
In athletics, action starts from 1 August. Adams sprints in the 200m, Stephen Mokoka runs the marathon, Zakhiti Nene and Lythe Pillay compete in the 400m. Benjamin Richardson competes in the 200m, and Akani Simbine aims to top the 100m. Tshepo Tshite will run the 1500m, Wayde van Niekerk returns for the 400m, Jovan van Vuuren leaps in the long jump, and Adriaan Wildschutt takes on both the 5000m and 10000m races.
Marione Fourie hurdles through the 100m, Zeney Geldenhuys in the 400m hurdles, and Rogail Joseph runs the 400m.
Jordy Smith, after missing the Tokyo Olympics due to injury, is back and ready to ride the waves, from the 31st of July, wave into action. And from the 1st of August follow rising star Christiaan Bezuidenhout who will swing for the greens.
Notable Athletes to Watch
Swimming and other Athletics
Chad le Clos has been a standout, earning four medals in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. South Africa aims to boost its medal count at the Paris 2024 Olympics, continuing its legacy of resilience and excellence.
South Africa’s veteran sprinter, 30-year-old Akani Simbine will be at his peak in Paris. He’ll lead Team SA as a flag bearer, a role that could push him to new heights on the track. With a season best of 9.94 seconds and two Diamond League wins this year, Simbine is also a crucial part of the men’s 4x100m relay team. He’ll be aiming to better his fourth-place finish from 2020 and finally grab that elusive medal.
Boipelo Awuah might be less well-known, but she’s one to watch. Selected for the 2020 Olympics at just 15, her dream was cut short by a pelvis fracture during practice. Now, four years older and wiser, the “Diamond of Kimberley” is ready to shine on the streets of Paris.
Wayde van Niekerk’s 2016 Rio performance, where he set a still-standing world record in the 400m, made him a national hero. Despite recent injuries, his competitive spirit remains strong. After a seventh-place finish at the 2023 World Championships and a faster time at the New York City Grand Prix, Paris might be his emotional farewell.
Tatjana Schoenmaker was a star of the 2020 Olympics, setting an Olympic Record in the 100m breaststroke prelims and winning silver in the finals, the first medal for a South African woman in the pool since 2000. She then claimed gold in the 200m breaststroke, setting a new world record. Expect more fireworks from her in Paris.
7s Rugby
The Blitzboks had a rollercoaster season, starting strong in Dubai but struggling the rest of the season. They had to win an Olympic qualification tournament to secure their spot in Paris. With playmaker Selvyn Davids and the dynamic Rosko Specman, the Blitzboks are eager to improve on their fifth-place finish from Tokyo 2020. With these stars leading the charge, Team South Africa is ready to shine in Paris.
South Africa’s Paris Olympics journey
A tapestry woven with historic achievements and impactful moments. Early Years and Triumphs, South Africa’s Olympic story kicked off in 1904. Reggie Walker made headlines in 1908 by winning gold in the men’s 100m, while Esther Brand soared to gold in the women’s high jump in 1952, becoming the nation’s first female gold medalist.
Apartheid led to South Africa’s Olympic ban after 1960. The country made a triumphant return in 1992, highlighted by Elana Meyer’s silver in the women’s 10,000m a symbol of the nation’s re-emergence on the world stage after 32 years.
To see who Qualified for the SA Olympic team have a read through our South Africa: Olympic Qualifiers. We have an immensely talented bunch of athletes and we are very excited to see what they will achieve over the next month.
Olympic Star Athletes and Memorable Moments
- Zola Budd: Famously ran barefoot for Great Britain in 1984 due to apartheid.
- Penny Heyns: Dominated swimming with two golds at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
- Cameron van der Burgh: Clinched gold in the 100m breaststroke in 2012.
- Caster Semenya: Took gold in the 800m in 2012 and 2016, amid much controversy.
- Wayde van Niekerk: Shattered the 400m world record for gold in 2016.
South African athletes have bagged 89 Olympic medals in 11 sports. Athletics, swimming, and boxing lead the tally with 28, 20, and 19 medals, respectively. The country has also excelled in tennis, cycling, and rowing.
Betting Sites for the Paris Olympics 2024
There are many online sports betting sites to choose from however we recommend shopping around and finding the correct fit for you. Bookies like Betolimp, Sportingbet, bet.co.za, BoyleSports, Betfred and Gbets all have the Olympics prominently displayed on the front page and it is easy to find to make those quick and easy bets! We have also reviewed the best of the best for your perusal below:
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For any other major sports events you may want to place a bet or two have a look at our July 2024 Sport Preview.
Olympics Fun facts
- Only four athletes have ever won medals in both the Winter and Summer Olympics. Christa Ludinger-Rothenburger even managed to win medals in both in the same year
- From 1912 to 1948, the Olympics included competitions for artists. Medals were awarded in categories such as painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, and music.
- The Olympic torch is lit in Greece using a parabolic mirror and the sun’s rays, then travels to the host city through a relay that has included various modes of transportation, even space travel.
- The first official Olympic mascot was Waldi, a dachshund, introduced at the 1972 Munich Games.
- Solid gold medals were only awarded until the 1912 Olympics. Today, gold medals are mostly made of silver with a thin layer of gold.
- The youngest known Olympian is Dimitrios Loundras, a Greek gymnast who competed in the 1896 Athens Olympics at just 10 years old.
- Women were not allowed to compete in the Olympics until 1900. Since then, the range of sports open to female competitors has expanded significantly.
- During the Opening Ceremony, the Parade of Nations always begins with Greece and ends with the host nation. All other countries march in alphabetical order.
- The 1960 Rome Games were the first Olympics to be televised in the United States.
These fascinating tidbits highlight the rich history and unique traditions of the Olympic Games.
Bring on Paris Olympics 2024!
As the 2024 Paris Olympics approaches, South African fans have plenty to be excited about. Our athletes are ready to shine across a range of sports, showing off their incredible talent and hard work. From the track to the pool to the BMX course, these competitors embody the spirit of perseverance and excellence.
They’ve trained tirelessly, overcoming personal and professional challenges to reach this level. Their performances promise to be a source of national pride and inspiration. With a mix of seasoned Olympians and rising stars, our team is ready to take on the world’s best and aim for glory.
This year’s Games in Paris will be a fantastic opportunity for our athletes to not only chase medals but also inspire the next generation of sports enthusiasts back home. Get ready to witness moments of triumph and resilience that will be remembered for years to come. As they compete on the global stage, these athletes will undoubtedly make South Africa proud.
