Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Key dates, schedule, big names, new sports and more

The countdown to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is well and truly on as the French capital prepares to take centre-stage for the Greatest Show on Earth.

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When are the Paris 2024 Olympic Games?When is the opening ceremony at Paris 2024?Who will be the biggest stars at Paris 2024?What are the new sports at Paris 2024?Dates and schedule of Paris 2024 sports

The City of Love will be transformed into the City of Sport for what promises to be a feast of thrills and spills under the most intense spotlight.

For there is surely no greater honour for elite athletes than representing your country with the eyes of the world watching. It’s little wonder, then, that competition for medals is so fierce.

Take to any of the steps on the podium and you have forever etched your name into the history books – and, as such, the privilege and prestige of hosting this group of sporting icons is immense.

Awarded in 2017, 2024 will mark the third time Paris has hosted the Games, joining London as the only other three-time host city. The French capital first staged the Olympic Games in 1900 and then again in 1924.

And there could hardly be a more fitting location. Fans tuning in from around the world will be able to marvel as some of the greatest athletes go toe-to-toe across 32 different sports in front of a Parisian backdrop.

Officially billed as the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, it is not to be missed.

When are the Paris 2024 Olympic Games?

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024.

However, the Games technically start on July 24 with preliminaries in football and rugby 7s, with the official curtain-raiser at the opening ceremony two days later.

When is the opening ceremony at Paris 2024?

The opening ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will take place on July 26, 2024.

It will break with tradition as athletes will travel on boats along a 6km stretch of the River Seine, rather than parade around the major stadium. Some 600,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony.

Who will be the biggest stars at Paris 2024?

Katie Ledecky of United States is seen on the podium after winning the Women’s 1500m Freestyle final on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Image credit: Getty Images

Katie Ledecky (USA, swimming)

If the American wins three gold medals in the pool, she will be the most successful woman in Olympics history. Ledecky has won seven titles across London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 – will she claim any more?

Dina Asher-Smith (Team GB, athletics)

Asher-Smith, the 2019 200m champion, and Eurosport’s newest ambassador, is determined to win a first individual medal at the Olympics after suffering injury heartbreak in Tokyo. She is in strong form after clinching gold at the European Athletics Championships in Rome.

Steph Curry (USA, basketball)

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr will lead the men’s United States side, so it feels reasonable to assume there’s a good chance Curry, who is one of the most famous faces in basketball, will be there. “I’m beyond excited,” he said to the NBA on TNT. “I played in two World Cup teams, I’ve had that international experience, but in 2016 and 2021, I missed it.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Rafael Nadal of Spain pose for a photograph at the net before theit match on Court Philippe Chatrier during the singles Quarter Final match at the 2022 French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros on May 31st 2022 in Paris,

Image credit: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal (Spain, tennis)

The Spaniard has two Olympic gold medals to his name already after winning the singles title in 2008 and the doubles in 2016. His physical ailments are well documented so his participation is far from a sure thing, but given the tournament will take place on the red clay of Roland-Garros, he cannot be discounted. He lost in the opening round of the French Open at the same venue, but will be looking for greater success with medals on the line.

Novak Djokovic (Serbia, tennis)

…one cannot simply mention Nadal without acknowledging Djokovic. We all know the Serbian has a propensity for acquiring records and titles. One that is missing from his resume is an Olympic gold medal, so you can bet he will be desperate to secure this elusive triumph if he can get back fit after having to withdraw from the French Open following his fourth-round win through injury.

Sky Brown (Team GB, skateboarding)

World champion at just 14, can Britain’s youngest Olympic medallist climb atop the podium in Paris? Her attempt at dual-sports participation ended with her ISA World Surfing Games elimination, but she can still dream of glory in the skateboarding.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

Image credit: Getty Images

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica, athletics)

The Jamaican is widely considered the best female sprinter of all time, having won three Olympic gold medals, four silvers and a bronze. She also has 10 World Championship golds to her name. Fraser-Pryce will be 37 by the time the 2024 Games gets underway, so it will likely be her last.

Rory McIlroy (Ireland, golf)

Golf returned to the Olympics in 2016 and has been well received by the game’s best male and female players. In the absence of Tiger Woods, there is no name bigger than Rory McIlroy. Hailing from Northern Ireland, he suited up for Ireland last time around in Tokyo so expect him to do the same again in Paris.

Teddy Riner (France, judo)

After a record-extending 11th world title in 2023, the heavyweight judo star is aiming for success in front of his home fans as he chases a third individual Olympic gold in Paris. He only managed bronze in Tokyo, but was part of a victorious mixed-team event.

Faith Kipyegon (Kenya, athletics)

Going for a hat-trick of 1500m Olympic titles, who would bet against Faith Kipyegon? Her preparations in the year leading up to Paris have included setting new world records over 1500m and 5000m, as well as taking five seconds off the women’s mile world record.

Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia, cycling)

Fresh from more Grand Tour glory this summer, expect the Slovenian to be in the mix in the road race and time trial in Paris as he looks to further cement his status as a cycling legend.