French Learning Community and Resources

Hi there,  

Today, we’re going to talk about the 2024 Summer Olympics! This year, they will take place in Paris, France. Last time the Olympics were held in Paris was in 1924. A hundred years after, they are back! As I live in Paris, I can tell you I am very excited about this!   

The Olympic Games have a long and rich history dating back to ancient Greece in 776 BC. Originally a religious festival in honor of the god Zeus, the games were held every four years in Olympia and featured a variety of athletic and cultural events. After a break of nearly 1,500 years, the modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896 in Athens, Greece, and have since become one of the most prestigious international sporting events. 

The 2024 Olympics, set to take place from July 26th to August 11th, will feature athletes from around the world competing in 28 sports such as volleyball, hockey, judo and rowing. There will also be four additional sports: break-dancing, climbing, skateboarding and surfing. The surf competition will take place in Tahiti, the largest island in French Polynesia, located in the South Pacific Ocean.  

The city of Paris has been working hard to prepare for the event, with various upgrades and renovations planned for the venues and infrastructure. I was strolling through Paris streets a few days ago and I indeed noticed that a lot of landmarks, parks and public areas are being renovated. The 2024 Olympics are expected to have a significant economic impact on the city and its surrounding region as they will create thousands of jobs and boost tourism. 

On the other hand, the Olympics' impact on the environment is a growing concern. With many infrastructures being built and a massive number of people expected to travel the world by plane to attend the games, measures are being implemented to reduce the event's carbon footprint. The organizers plan to use renewable energy sources, reduce waste, and promote public transportation to reduce carbon emissions. They also aim to make the event carbon-neutral by offsetting the remaining emissions through reforestation and other environmental projects. 

In addition, the city of Paris will also host the Paralympic games that will take place right after the Olympics. They are an international multi-sport event for athletes with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. The Paralympics will feature a wide range of sports, including track and field, swimming, wheelchair basketball, and sitting volleyball, to name a few. This event helps raise awareness about disability sports and highlights the achievements of athletes with disabilities. 

The 2024 Olympics should be a memorable event that will bring together athletes, fans, and spectators from around the world. With its rich history and cultural heritage Paris is the perfect city to host the world's biggest sporting event. I can't wait to see what the organizers have in store for us in 2024! 

I am particularly excited about artistic swimming as it is a sport I practiced when I was younger, and equitation, not only because I practiced this sport as well, but also because equestrian sports will take place in Versailles Palace’s gardens. I am sure it will be so beautiful to witness.  

 Do you plan to go to the Paris Olympic Games? If so, what are the sports you would like to attend?  

 Let us know in this forum thread!

Have a beautiful day,  

Lilas – OLS Community Manager