The 2024 Paris Olympics officially begin this Friday, but some events have already kicked off, including soccer and rugby. The U.S. men’s team is set to face powerhouse France in soccer, marking the early start of the games.
Early Olympic Events to Watch:
- Wednesday, July 24:
- 10:30 AM Eastern: U.S. Men’s Rugby Sevens vs. France
- 2:30 PM Eastern: U.S. Men’s Rugby Sevens vs. Fiji
- 3:00 PM Eastern: U.S. Men’s Soccer vs. France
- Thursday, July 25:
- 9:00 AM Eastern: U.S. Men’s Rugby Sevens vs. Uruguay
- 3:00 PM Eastern: U.S. Women’s Soccer vs. Zambia
As anticipation builds, the Opening Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, at 2:00 PM Eastern. This ceremony will be unique, taking place on the River Seine instead of a stadium for the first time in Olympic Summer Games history. Paris 2024 will make history by bringing the action into the heart of the city. Expect a stunning parade of 10,500 athletes from around the world aboard boats, moving along the Seine and passing the iconic Eiffel Tower, culminating in front of Trocadéro.
U.S. Flag Bearers Announced
Tennis sensation Coco Gauff and basketball legend LeBron James have been selected as the U.S. flag bearers for the ceremony. Gauff, in particular, is making history as the first tennis player to be chosen for this honor. Despite testing positive for COVID-19 in 2021, which kept her from competing in the Tokyo Games, Gauff will finally make her Olympic debut in Paris.
Gauff expressed her gratitude on social media, thanking her fellow Team USA athletes for the honor of carrying the flag.
“I just want to say thank you to my fellow Team USA Olympians for voting and choosing me for this incredible honor to be the flag bearer for the opening ceremony. I am incredibly honored,” Gauff wrote.
Political Climate and Growing Excitement in the U.S.
The 2024 Games come at a time of political uncertainty in both the U.S. and France. The U.S. has seen a turbulent few weeks, with the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump and the suspension of President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign. Meanwhile, in France, President Emmanuel Macron’s snap elections in June resulted in a divided parliament.
Despite these tensions, excitement for the Games is at an all-time high in America. A recent Seton Hall University sports poll revealed that 56% of Olympic fans are more excited to watch the Paris Olympics than previous editions. Additionally, 59% of the general population and 75% of sports fans plan to tune into the Paris Games, an increase compared to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Seton Hall Professor Charles Grantham noted, “Interest in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is stronger than in recent years. Beyond being held in Paris, a world-renowned city, these Games also feature better timing for live viewership and fewer distractions compared to Tokyo 2021 and Beijing 2022.”
A Sustainability-Driven Olympics
This year’s Olympics are also being viewed as a showcase of how to tackle environmental challenges. The Paris 2024 Games aim to demonstrate sustainability efforts, ensuring a future-ready approach while putting on a spectacular event.
Stay Updated and Watch the Paris Games Live
With sports underway and more exciting moments to come, the Paris 2024 Olympics are set to make history and create unforgettable memories. Be sure to catch the events live and follow the Games as they unfold!
Source: US News
Leave a comment