The Olympic Games: record numbers

1, 2, 3: Go... Less than 250 days!

Yes, we have exactly less than 250 days left (245 at the time of writing) to see the opening of the Summer Olympics in Paris.

And that's far from the only number you'll have by July 2024! The numbers keep falling like the leaves and the rain in autumn!

These games are already crazy before they even start... How many medals will French athletes win? No idea, of course...

But we're going to give you some dizzying numbers to help you keep the flame burning (pun intended... OK, I'm going out).

Our 10 numbers you'll love to remember:

·      2... and 3

After London, Paris will be the second city to host the Summer Olympics for the third time after a century: 1900, 1924 and 2024...  In 2028, Los Angeles will also join this club: 1932, 1984... Fun, right?

·      4... and 5

Indeed, there will be 4 non-"classical" sports at these Olympics (breakdancing proposed by Paris and skateboarding, climbing and surfing already present in Tokyo). Of course, you won't be able to escape the 5 immovable disciplines: since 1896, artistic gymnastics, cycling, athletics, swimming and fencing have always been on the programme of the Olympic Games.

Unlike some sports that have only done one lap of the track: castling, cricket, Basque pelota, rackets, motorboat races, lawn handball, jeu de paume, artistic riding, croquet, karate and baseball... Who's next, in 2028?

·      17

There will be 17 days of competition between July 26 and August 11, 2024. It's likely to go by very quickly, so be there so you don't miss anything!

·      32

There were 32 sports selected by the International Olympic Committee (IOC): 28 Olympic sports and the 4 less "classic" sports.

The 28 "classic" disciplines are: athletics, rowing, badminton, basketball, boxing, canoeing, track cycling, road cycling, BMX freestyle, BMX race, cross-country mountain biking, fencing, football, golf, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline, weightlifting, handball, hockey, judo, wrestling, modern pentathlon, etc. rugby, race swimming, artistic swimming, open water swimming, diving, equestrian sports, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, shooting, archery, triathlon, sailing, volleyball, beach volleyball and water polo.

In 2028 in Los Angeles. There will be 5 new disciplines: cricket, baseball-softball, squash, flag football and lacrosse (traditional Native American sport).

·      33

Say 33? No, you're not there at all!

This is simply the 33rd Olympic Games of the modern era since 1896! (Why since 1896? We'll explain everything here)

·      10500

This is the number of athletes expected for these games, 50% of whom will be women! We're making progress on parity...  There were 10,616 in 2021 in Tokyo (48% of whom were women).

·      20024

More than 20,000 participants are expected to take part in the Marathon Pour Tous: something never seen before... This will be THE biggest test of these games and of all the games in the past!

And you can even participate... Are you ready to run 42.195km? Otherwise, a 10km route will also be proposed. It's up to you...

There is no such thing as a small or big challenge: the important thing is to participate, said the Baron (or to leave at the right time... without falling into the fountain!)

·      600,000

We could welcome 600,000 people at the opening ceremony of the Olympics... That's 10 times the capacity of an Olympic stadium! It's likely to be a lot of people to see a few boats passing on the Seine...

But it's an event that won't come back for a long time... It's the kind of event where you can say: I was there!

·     10million

10 million is the number of tickets on sale. Prices ranging from €24 to €320... A budget to be expected, especially since some Parisian hotel prices have been multiplied by 16!

If you have friends in Paris, now is the time to remind them... Just by the greatest of coincidences, they wouldn't be available in July? I'm saying that, I'm not saying anything! (By the way, if you have a small place, I'm more of a discreet and clean type...)

·      4billion

That's how many viewers should be watching the Olympics! I won't tell you how much it will cost to advertise at that time... Even the Super Bowl, next door, is fun!

But it's also the planned budget for these Games (4.4 to be more precise)! And the number of cyberattacks in 2021 for the Tokyo Olympics... We hope that cybersecurity will be up to scratch so that we don't have a downside! (OK, I'm leaving)

There you have it, you have them in mind, read it again quickly... Warning: surprise interro!

No, I'm kidding!

I hope you are like us, ready to live these Olympics in France to the fullest, whether you are a high-level athlete or a Sunday sportsman, it doesn't matter... It's a pleasure that won't come back for a long time. So, we believe in it... And we're going to get the medals!

See you soon for new adventures and new anecdotes...

By Edmond Kean.