Paris,France: The much-anticipated 2024 Olympic Games are set to commence in Paris on July 26, 2024, with a grand opening ceremony. The Games will run until August 11, 2024, promising an exhilarating array of events and competitions and an extensive display of talent.
This year’s Paris Olympics is set to make history with its unique Opening Ceremony, which will be held on the iconic River Seine rather than in a traditional stadium. This innovative approach will feature athletes from around the world participating in a spectacular river parade. The parade of nations will cover a six-kilometer stretch of the Seine, starting from the Austerlitz bridge near the Jardin des Plantes, navigating around the central islands of Île Saint Louis and Île de la Cité, and passing under several of Paris’s historic bridges.
The Origin of the Olympic Games
The Olympic Games trace their origins back to ancient Greece, specifically to the sanctuary of Olympia in the Peloponnese. The first recorded Olympic Games took place in 776 BCE and were held in honor of Zeus, the chief deity of the Greek pantheon. These ancient games were primarily a series of athletic competitions among representatives of various city-states of ancient Greece, and they continued for nearly 12 centuries until 393 CE, when Emperor Theodosius I decreed the end of all pagan festivals.
The modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896, largely due to the efforts of French educator and historian Pierre de Coubertin. Inspired by the ancient games, Coubertin aimed to promote international peace and cooperation through sports. The inaugural modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece, featuring athletes from 13 nations competing in 43 events.
Indian Participation in the 2024 Olympics
India will be represented by a robust contingent of 117 athletes at the Paris Olympics, competing for a total of 95 medals across 16 sports disciplines. Expectations are particularly high for India’s star performers, including Neeraj Chopra, Meerabai Chanu, PV Sindhu, and Rohan Bopanna.
Reflecting on India’s performance at the Tokyo Olympics, where the nation secured seven medals—one gold, two silver, and four bronze—the Indian athletes are under significant pressure to surpass this achievement. The country’s preparation and potential for the upcoming Games have been a topic of considerable discussion in the Indian Parliament.
As the world watches, the Paris 2024 Olympics promise not only to showcase the pinnacle of athletic skillset but also to celebrate the spirit of global unity and sportsmanship in an unforgettable setting. Indian athletes, buoyed by past successes and the hopes of their nation, are poised to make their mark on this grand stage.
