2024 Paris Olympics Kick Off Today: Full Schedule and Key Dates

The 2024 Paris Olympics are set to kick off soon, promising a vibrant celebration of sports and international camaraderie. As excitement builds, here’s everything you need to know about the dates and events for this summer’s Olympics.

Key Dates for the 2024 Paris Olympics

The Olympics will officially open in Paris on the evening of Friday, July 26, and will continue through Sunday, August 11. Notably, some team events began as early as July 24. The grand opening ceremony, a spectacle to behold, will take place on the iconic Seine River, which flows through the heart of Paris. The closing ceremony, featuring a parade of flags and athletes, is scheduled for August 11.

A Unique Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics is set to be unlike any other. The ceremony will be held outside a traditional stadium setting for the first time in Olympic history. On July 26, athletes will parade in boats down the Seine River, starting at 7:30 p.m. local time (1:30 p.m. Eastern in the U.S. and 10:30 a.m. on the West Coast). This flotilla, composed of approximately 94 boats, will cover an almost four-mile route, showcasing athletes, delegations, and performers. An estimated 10,500 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees, along with around 120 heads of state, royals, and other dignitaries, are expected to participate.

Closing Ceremony Details

The closing ceremony, a moment to celebrate athletes’ achievements and the Games’ spirit, will be held on Sunday, August 11, starting at 2 p.m. Eastern. It will take place at the Stade de France and include a parade of flags, athletes, and victory ceremonies, among other events. The ceremony in Tokyo lasted about three hours, setting a precedent for a similarly extensive program in Paris.

Gymnastics Events

Artistic gymnastics, one of the most anticipated events of the Olympics, is scheduled from July 27 to August 1 and again from August 3 to 5. Rhythmic gymnastics, a discipline exclusive to female athletes, will be held from August 8 to 10. The trampoline gymnastics events are slated for August 2, starting with the women’s qualifications and final and followed by the men’s competitions later that day.

Athletes like U.S. star Simone Biles will compete in women’s artistic gymnastics, which includes events like beam, vault, uneven bars, and floor exercise. Men’s artistic gymnastics features rings, pommel horses, horizontal bars, parallel bars, and more.

Soccer (Football) at the Games

Soccer, referred to as football in most parts of the world, commenced before the official opening ceremony due to the number of matches in the tournament. Games are scheduled throughout the Olympics, with detailed listings and results available online.

Comprehensive Olympics Schedule

The 2024 Paris Games began with preliminary archery, soccer, handball, and rugby rounds on July 24, ahead of the opening ceremony. Swimming competitions will run from July 27 through August 4, while track and field events are scheduled from August 1 to August 11. Traditionally, the final athletic event, the marathon, will cap off the Games.

Here’s a brief overview of the events schedule:

Wednesday, July 24

• Football (Soccer): Early group matches
• Rugby Sevens: Initial matches

Thursday, July 25

• Archery: Qualifying rounds
• Football (Soccer): Continued group matches
• Handball: Opening matches
• Rugby Sevens: Group stage matches

Friday, July 26

• Opening Ceremony: Inaugural event

Saturday, July 27

• Gymnastics: Men’s qualification
• Basketball: Opening matches
• Swimming: First events
• Cycling: Men’s road race
• Tennis: Tournament begins

Sunday, July 28

• Gymnastics: Women’s qualification
• Football (Soccer): Continued matches
• Swimming: Finals and heats
• Beach Volleyball: Early rounds

Monday, July 29

• Diving: Preliminary rounds
• Basketball: Continued matches
• Handball: Group stage matches
• Swimming: Continued events

Tuesday, July 30

• Cycling BMX Freestyle: Initial rounds
• Gymnastics: Men’s team finals
• Basketball: Ongoing group matches

Wednesday, July 31

• Sailing: Fleet races
• Swimming: Mid-event competitions
• Basketball: Group matches

Thursday, August 1

• Athletics: Begins
• Golf: Tournament starts
• Judo: Finals

Friday, August 2

• Trampoline Gymnastics: All events
• Athletics: Continued competitions
• Cycling BMX Racing: Finals

Saturday, August 3

• Gymnastics: Women’s team finals
• Athletics: Key track events
• Equestrian: Jumping events

Sunday, August 4

• Athletics: Continued competitions
• Swimming: Final events
• Basketball: Final group matches

Monday, August 5

• Artistic Swimming: Begins
• Athletics: Continued events
• Beach Volleyball: Finals begin

Tuesday, August 6

• Skateboarding: Finals
• Boxing: Semifinals
• Volleyball: Quarterfinals

Wednesday, August 7

• Weightlifting: Finals
• Athletics: Continued events
• Beach Volleyball: Finals

Thursday, August 8

• Rhythmic Gymnastics: Begins
• Basketball: Semifinals
• Athletics: Key finals

Friday, August 9

• Breaking (Dance Sport): Finals
• Marathon Swimming: Finals
• Rhythmic Gymnastics: Continued events

Saturday, August 10

• Basketball: Medal matches
• Boxing: Finals
• Football (Soccer): Medal matches

Sunday, August 11

• Handball: Finals
• Modern Pentathlon: Finals
• Volleyball: Finals
• Closing Ceremony: Celebration and end of the Games

Broadcast Information

The Olympics will be broadcast live and tape-delayed on various networks, including NBC, Telemundo, USA Network, Golf Channel, CNBC, and E!. Coverage will be extensive, with at least nine hours of programming daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

The 2024 Paris Olympics promise a spectacular showcase of athletic prowess, cultural celebration, and global unity. As athletes worldwide come together to compete, viewers can look forward to an inspiring and unforgettable experience.