The 2024 Olympics are here! Below, find everything you need to know about this year’s Paris Games.
How long are the 2024 Olympics on for?
The 2024 Olympics will run from Friday, July 26 through Sunday, August 11, totaling over two weeks’ worth of competition.
Where are the 2024 Olympics taking place?
This year’s Olympic events have been divided across 35 venues scattered throughout Paris, Marseille, Versailles, the Parisian suburb of Colombes, and—for surfing—Teahupo’o, Tahiti.
What happened during the opening ceremony?
For the first time in the history of the Olympics, the opening ceremony took place outside of a stadium. Proceedings unfolded instead along the River Seine—under a steady rain—with boats carrying each national delegation of athletes.
Serving as the flag bearers for Team USA were LeBron James and Vogue’s April 2024 cover star, Coco Gauff. “I never thought in a million years I would have the honor of carrying the American flag for Team USA in the Opening Ceremony,” Gauff said in a statement. “I could not be more proud to lead my teammates with LeBron as we showcase our dedication and passion on the biggest stage there is — at a moment where we can bring athletes and fans together from around the world.”
The ceremony also included all manner of entertainments, among them a ballet solo by Guillaume Diop, a thrashing set by rock band Gojira, and theatrical performances by Lady Gaga, Aya Nakamura, and Céline Dion—all three of whom were dressed by Dior.
What can I expect from the closing ceremony?
Airing live on NBC and Peacock from 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 11, the closing ceremonies are set to be another major spectacle. As organizers announced back in July, the Olympics’ grand finale at the Stade de France will include “an original soundtrack, new interpretations, musical performances and the participation of world-renowned singers.” The statement went on: “Part of the show will take place in the air, while the giant sets, costumes and spectacular lighting effects will take spectators on a journey through time, both past and future.”
While much of the program is still under wraps, it’s been reported that Tom Cruise has recorded a sky-diving stunt to air during the ceremony, marking the handoff from this year’s Games in Paris to the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
How many sports are represented at the 2024 Olympics, and how can I watch them?
There were 32 sports on the Olympic roster this year, including tennis, volleyball, soccer, and various genres of wrestling, aquatics, gymnastics, and cycling.
As usual, NBC has been the Olympics’ official broadcasting partner in the United States, with events also airing across the USA Network, GOLF Channel, CNBC, and E!. Cord-cutters can keep up with live coverage, highlights, and commentary via Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC Olympics app, the NBC Sports app, and the NBC app. For event-specific viewing information, see here.
Also, get this, Daddy Gang: Call Her Daddy’s Alex Cooper has been hosting a live, interactive series throughout the Games called Watch with Alex Cooper. The program has seen Cooper and select special guests “offer their takes on Team USA’s soccer, gymnastics, and basketball competitions straight from Paris while fielding questions submitted by fans on social media.” (Lest you forget, Cooper is a former Division 1 soccer player.) Tune in to Watch with Alex Cooper on Peacock and NBC Olympics’ other streaming platforms.
What new disciplines were added to this year’s roster?
This year, the Olympic Games introduced a breaking—a.k.a. breakdancing—competition, requiring 16 men and 16 women to improvise to music they didn’t pre-select. (The first battle is set for Friday, August 9.) Additionally, surfing and skateboarding have once again featured at this year’s Games after debuting at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics; and men were included in the artistic swimming category for the first time ever.
Who were some of the best-known athletes competing at this year’s Olympics?
Among the biggest stars in medal contention this year were basketball players LeBron James and Steph Curry; champion swimmers Katie Ledecky and Caeleb Dressel; tennis players Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka, Jessica Pegula, and Coco Gauff; gymnasts Simone Biles and Suni Lee; and track and field stars Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles.
