Olympic Games & France    

As the world prepares to experience the excitement of the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, here's a little historical, even unusual review of previous editions held in France. Beyond the acclaimed competitions and memorable performances, little-known facts add a touch of uniqueness to this Olympic saga. Let's discover 10 facts related to the Olympic Games and France !

• There will be five new disciplines in the next edition of Olympic Games: breakdance, climbing, surfing, skateboarding and BMX Freestyle.

• At the 1900 Paris Olympics, moto-ball, a variant of soccer played on motorcycles, was introduced as a demonstration sport.
• Seven disciplines at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games aim to achieve perfect gender parity.
• The first edition of the Winter Olympics took place in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The event was originally called the "International Winter Sports Week".
• A discipline that hasn't been seen in the Olympics for a century and is making a return in the 2024 Paris Olympics is rugby league (rugby à XIII).
• In 1900, the Paris Olympic Games included artistic competitions in painting, sculpture, architecture, literature and music.
• The founder of the modern Olympic Games is Pierre de Coubertin. He was a French educator and reformer who was influenced by the ideals of Greek and Roman antiquity, in particular the idea of sporting competition as a means of physical and moral education.
• In 1924, France was the first country to light the Olympic flame at the Winter Games.
• Paris hosted the Olympic Games twice before 2024, in 1900 and 1924.
• The 1900 Paris Games were the first Olympic Games in which women took part, and Hélène de Pourtalès made history by becoming the first woman to win a gold medal.

These anecdotes reveal the audacious and creative spirit that has always defined this worldwide event. Whether these facts add a new dimension to our appreciation of the Games, let's remember that behind every medal are thrilling stories and moments that are beyond the simple act of competition. On the road to Paris 2024, let's celebrate Olympism in all its forms, from the extraordinary to the sublime.