Paris Olympics: 6 things to watch for at the games
ByNatalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Phryges Paris 2024 mascots 'the Phryges' pose at the D-100 media day event at the Grand Palais Ephemere venue on April 17, 2024 in Paris, France. Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to August 11, 2024 (Photo by Marc Piasecki/Getty Images) (Marc Piasecki/Getty Images)
ByNatalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
For the next two and a half weeks, Olympic enthusiasts will be tuning in to watch athletes from all over the world compete in the Paris Olympic Games.
According to Olympic officials, there will be millions of spectators watching 10,500 athletes compete at 35 venues.
The Olympics are about numbers, from gold medal scores to hundreds of thousands of meals served daily, here are some of the numbers that will all add up to the Paris Games:
35 venues
10,500 athletes
45,000 volunteers
600,000+ meals served in the Athletes Village daily
19 days of competition
329 events
32 sports
The Phryges
Meet the Phryges, the mascots for the Olympics, which are based on Phrygian, or liberty, caps. They were debuted in November 2022, USA Today reported. The Olympic Phryge has a “methodical mind and alluring charm” while the Paralympic Phryge is “a party animal, spontaneous and a bit hot headed.”
They were both “chosen as symbols of Freedom and to represent allegorical figures of the French Republic.”
“Rather than an animal, our mascots represent an ideal,” Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet said. “Since it is familiar to us and appears on our stamps and the pediments of our town halls, it also represents French identity and spirit.”
If you’re trying to figure out how to say Phryges it is pronounced “free-jee-us.”
On vous présente la Phryge Olympique et la Phryge Paralympique !
Les mascottes de #Paris2024 ✨
Sportives, fêtardes… et...
Los Angeles 1984 28 JUL 1984: SAM THE EAGLE THE MASCOT OF THE 1984 LOS ANGELES OLYMPICS MARCHES AROUND THE STADIUM DURING THE OPENING CEREMONY. (Tony Duffy/Getty Images)
Lillehammer 1994 16 FEB 1994: THE OLYMPIC MASCOTS, KRISTEN AND HAAKON, SKATE AROUND AT THE SPEEDSKATING TRACK DURING THE 1994 LILLEHAMMER WINTER OLYMPICS. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell/ALLSPORT (Mike Powell/Getty Images)
Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympic Games mascot, "Whatizit?" The 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games mascot, "Whatizit?" (Ken Levine/Getty Images)
Nagano 1998 Undated: The Official Mascot of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympic Games for editorial use only. \ Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport (Getty Images/Getty Images)
Sydney 2000 SYDNEY - OCTOBER 1: The Sydney 2000 Mascots celebrate the end of the 2000 Olympics during the Closing Ceremony held at the Olympic Stadium on day 16 of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia on October 1st, 2000. (Photo by Scott Barbour/GettyImages) (Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Salt Lake City 2002 10 Jan 2002: Olympic gold medalist Phil Mahre joins the 2002 Olympic mascots and Salt Lake City business leaders in a cheer to kick-off Office Depot's sponsorship of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and 2002 and 2004 US teams at an Office Depot store in Salt Lake City, Utah. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Athens 2004 ATHENS, GREECE - AUGUST 10: The Offical Mascots of the Athens 2004 Olympic Summer Games Athena (L) and Phevos (R) walk through the lobby of the Main Press Center (MPC) prior to the start of games August 10, 2004 in Athens, Greece. The games kickoff with the Opening Ceremonies on August 13. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Turin 2006 TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 09: A member of the Australian Winter Olympic team attends the flag raising ceremony of the Australian flag and the flag of the international Olympic Committee at the Olympic Village prior to the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games on February 9, 2006 in Turin, Italy. The opening ceremony will take place on February 10, 2006 at the Olympic Stadium. McKenzie will compete in the Bobsleigh. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Beijing 2008 WUHAN, CHINA - APRIL 25: (CHINA OUT) A worker waters plants making up part of an Olympic-themed floral exhibition on April 25, 2008 in Wuhan of Hubei Province, China. Nearly 2 million pots of flowers are displayed at the exhibition. China has geared up its preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, 105 days ahead of the its opening ceremony. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images) (China Photos/Getty Images)
Vancouver 2010 VANCOUVER, CANADA - JUNE 4: Vancouver 2010 mascots Miga (R) and Quatchi hold up samples of the first four Olympic ticket designs for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games that were unveiled today by the Vancouver Organizing Committee June 4, 2009 in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo By Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) (Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
London 2012 LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Wenlock, the Olympic mascot and Mandeville (Blue), the Paralympic mascot pose for photos after being unveiled at St Pauls Whitechapel C of E Primary School, Tower Hamlets on May 19, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Sochi 2014 SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 23: Olympic mascots the Hare, the Polar Bear and the Leopard stand by the extinguished Olympic flame during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony at Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 23, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Rio 2016 RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 06: Rio de Janeiro Olympic mascot Vinicius poses in front of the Olympic Rings before the Men's Road Race on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Fort Copacabana on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
PyeongChang 2018 NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 11: Guests pose with PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games mascots Soohorang and Bandabi during the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games Kick-Off in Times Square on October 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Jeong Culture and Communication) (Brad Barket)
Tokyo 2020 TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 12: Tokyo 2020 mascots Miraitowa (L) and Someity (R) attend the Tokyo 2020 caravan bus departure event at the Panasonic Center Tokyo on March 12, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)
Beijing 2022 BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 28: Staff members dressed up as Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics mascot Bing Dwen Dwen (R) and Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics mascot Shuey Rhon Rhon pose for photo at National Alpine Ski Centre on February 28, 2022 in Yanqing, China. (Photo by Yifan Ding/Getty Images for International Paralympic Committee) (Yifan Ding/Getty Images)
Paris 2024 PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 10: The Phryges, modelled on phrygian caps, are unveiled as the mascots for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games on November 10, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/Getty Images) (Marc Piasecki/Getty Images/Getty Images)
New and returning events
The Paris Olympics will have a new sport this year. Breaking or breakdancing is joining the ranks of basketball, gymnastics and swimming.
CBS Sports reported that 16 athletes will compete in “spectacular solo battles.”
Women will compete on Aug 9 while men will dance on Aug. 10. The competition will start with a round-robin and then progress to a quarter-final, semifinal and then the final all on the same day. The competitions start at 10:15 a.m. ET each day and the medals will be awarded at 3:15 p.m.
CNET said it will be similar to gymnastics and ice skating when it comes to how the dances are judged, but one difference will be the competitors will not know the music they will be performing to, played by DJs. It will also not be held in a stadium or arena, instead, it will be held in a public square, the Place de la Concorde, the same location where skateboarding, BMX freestyle and 3x3 basketball will be held.
After the end of the Paris games, it will be a while until breaking returns to the international stage. It will not be part of the 2028 Los Angeles games, but may return in 2032 in Brisbane, CNET reported.
Kayak cross is a combination of snowboard cross mixed with a canoe slalom course but using kayaks, CNET reported. Four kayakers will race trying to go through six downstream and two upstream gates. They are competing against each other and the time.
Men will be competing for the first time in artistic swimming while a new weight class for women has been added to the boxing competition.
In addition to breaking and kayak cross, there will be some sports returning to the games this year.
Sports climbing will return again this year for the second time. Sports climbing takes place indoors on a 49-foot inverted wall which competitors have to scale in six minutes.
Speed climbing has competitors go up the same wall in seconds. Finally, there’s bouldering on a 13-foot wall with no safety rope where athletes scale the wall in the fastest times in the fewest tries. It debuted in the previous games held in Tokyo.
The climbing events start on Aug. 5. Speed finals will be held on Aug. 7 and 8 while bouldering and lead combined finals will be held on Aug. 9 and 10, according to CNET.
Another event that is coming back after its Tokyo debut is skateboarding. There are two styles — park and street — where 22 men and 22 women will have to show off their skills based on difficulty, speed and moves. The park version will be done on bowls and bends while the street competitions will be done on a replica urban environment, CBS Sports reported. Skateboarding street finals will be on July 27 and 28 while park finals occurring on Aug. 6 and 7, CNET reported.
While most of the events will be held in Paris, one returning sport is being held half a world away in Tahiti. Forty-eight surfers will be traveling to the islands to ride the Teahopo’o wave to perform tricks on short boards, known for their maneuverability. Surfing will start on July 29. The competition had a long time coming after first being requested in the 1920s but finally debuting in Tokyo, according to CBS Sports.
The City of Lights will be highlighted in the competitions and other Olympic events.
The parade of nations during the opening ceremony won’t have athletes marching into a packed stadium. Instead, thousands of competitors will be floating on boats down the River Seine.
Beach volleyball will be held in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, the “Today” show reported.
The place of kings will play host to equestrian events where the Palace of Versailles will be transformed for the horse riding competitions, USA Today reported.
Tahiti will be the focus for surfers as they try their skills against the Wall of Skulls, the nickname of Teahupo’o on the southwest coach of Tahiti. The wave is one of the heaviest in the world, according to The Los Angeles Times, which called it “more like a slab of concrete than water.” The newspaper called it “a bold choice that has some safety-conscious experts shaking their heads and ghoulish spectators licking their chops.”
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Paris Olympic venues PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: Many empty seats are on the banks of the Seine River in front of the Musée d'Orsay on the day of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Owen Franken - Corbis/Getty Images) (Owen Franken - Corbis/Getty Images)
Paris Olympic venues PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 25: A general view as Team Latvia compete against Team Canada during a Beach Volleyball training session on Day-1 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at the Eiffel Tower Stadium on July 25, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Paris Olympic venues PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 21: The Invalides venue is seen behind a barrier next to an empty street inside the security parameter prior to the Opening ceremony of Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 21, 2024 in Paris, France. The city is gearing up to host the XXXIII Olympic Summer Games, from 26 July to 11 August. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images) (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Paris Olympic venues PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 07: A general view of 'Hôtel des Invalides' in Paris on July 07, 2023 in Paris, France. Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 till August 11, 2024. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Paris Olympic venues PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 25: A general view as athletes collect their arrows during the Women's Archery Individual Ranking Round on Day -1 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Esplanade Des Invalides on July 25, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Paris Olympic venues VERSAILLES, FRANCE - JULY 23: Castle of Versailles during the Paris Olympics torch relay on July 23, 2024 in Versailles, France. Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to August 11, 2024. (Photo by Lyvans Boolaky/Getty Images) (Lyvans Boolaky/Getty Images)
Paris Olympic venues PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 25: A general view as riders and horses from Team Ireland practice dressage during an Equestrian Eventing training session ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics Games at Chateau de Versailles on July 25, 2024 in Versailles, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Paris Olympic venues PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 25: Elisabeth Halliday and horse Cooley Nutcracker of Team United States practice dressage during an Equestrian Eventing training session ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics Games at Chateau de Versailles on July 25, 2024 in Versailles, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Paris Olympic venues TEAHUPO'O, FRENCH POLYNESIA - JULY 25: A general view is seen of the athlete village cruise ship prior to the commencement of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at on July 25, 2024 in Teahupo'o, French Polynesia. (Photo by Ed Sloane/Getty Images) (Ed Sloane/Getty Images)
Paris Olympic venues TEAHUPO'O, FRENCH POLYNESIA - JULY 24: TEAHUPO'O, FRENCH POLYNESIA - JULY 21: Joao Chianca of Team Brazil surfs a wave during training prior to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at on July 24, 2024 in Teahupo'o, French Polynesia. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Youngest American athlete
Imagine competition on a world stage when others your age are worried about getting their driver’s licenses.
That’s the case for Quincy Wilson, who at the age of 16 years and 200 days, is the youngest American to compete in this year’s games. Wilson is a runner taking part in track competitions. The Bullis School junior hails from outside of Washington, D.C. and is part of the 4x400 relay pool after running under 45 seconds in three heats at the trials. He broke a 42-year record by running 44.59 in the trials semifinals, ESPN reported.
Wilson is not the youngest competitor this year.
While there are no age limits to take part according to the International Olympic Committee rules, typically there are no competitors under the age of 16, but some countries allow kids as young as 13 to take part, but it basically depends on the rules of the individual sports. Divers can be as young as 14 while gymnasts have to be at least 16, ESPN reported.
This year there is an 11-year-old from China competing in the skateboarding competition, the youngest athlete in the games. The youngest competitor ever was 10-year-old Dimitrios Loundras who competed and won a bronze medal in the 1896 Athens Summer Olympics as part of the Greek gymnastics team, according to ESPN.
Celebrity athletes competing
Household names will be taking part in the games trying to take home their first, third, eighth or even 11th medal.
Simone Biles will once again take the spotlight in gymnastics after dropping out during the Toyko games after developing “the twisties” or becoming disoriented while doing her flips.
NBA greats LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Joel Embiid, will be on the court for USA Basketball competing against other NBA stars such as Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Katie Ledecky will be going for more Olympic medals competing in five events.
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Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Actors and actresses perform during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Actors and actresses perform during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Actors and actresses perform during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Actors and actresses perform during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Actors and actresses perform during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: A white dove is released as Stephanos Ntouskos, First Greek torchbearer holds the Olympic Flame following the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of the High Priestess, holds the Olympic Flame during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Greek actress playing the role of the Priestess, during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Entry of the High Priestess and the Priestesses with the Olympic Flame during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of the High Priestess, carries the Olympic Flame during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: An actress holds the Olympic flame during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: A detailed view of the Olympic Flame during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of the High Priestess, carries the Olympic Flame during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of the High Priestess, carries the Olympic Flame during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of the High Priestess, lights the torch during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of the High Priestess, holds the torch during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of the High Priestess, holds the torch during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of the High Priestess, carries the torch during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of the High Priestess, holds the torch during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of the High Priestess, holds the torch during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Stephanos Ntouskos, First Greek torchbearer receives the flame from Greek actress, Mary Mina, playing the role of the High Priestess, during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: Stephanos Ntouskos, First Greek torchbearer walks during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: The Greek Guard of Honour "Evzones" passes by the Temple of Hera during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: The Greek Guard of Honour "Evzones" passes by the Temple of Hera during the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
Lighting Ceremony Of The Olympic Flame ATHENS, GREECE - APRIL 16: President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and IOC member Spyros Capralos (L), Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou (C) and President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach arrive ahead of the flame lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at the Ancient Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece on April 16, 2024 in Olympia, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)