The Olympic Games 2024: Previewing Key Events

Overview of New Sports and Changes

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games will introduce several new sports and modifications to the existing lineup. Notably, breakdancing will make its Olympic debut, categorised as ‘breaking’. This addition aims to attract a younger audience and recognises the growing appeal of urban sports worldwide. Also added to the roster are skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing, all of which proved popular during their preliminary inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Changes in the regulations and formats of some traditional sports are also anticipated. For example, basketball will see a variation with the inclusion of 3x3 basketball, a faster-paced, shorter version of the game played with three players per side. This format emphasises speed and agility, and has gained popularity for its dynamic style and quicker matches.

Moreover, swimming and athletics will undergo adjustments to their schedules and qualifying criteria to streamline the events and enhance competition fairness. These changes aim to maintain the relevance and excitement of the competition for modern audiences.

Key Events to Watch

Olympic qualifying is still taking place so it is not yet possible to write in detail about specific events. However, here are some events that sports fans will not want to miss this summer.

Track and Field

The Track and Field events at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games promise a thrilling display of athleticism and competition. With a comprehensive schedule spanning several days, key events to watch include the 100m finals for both men and women, where sprinters compete for the prestigious title of the world’s fastest athlete. The men’s 100m final, scheduled for August 4th, and the women’s 100m final on August 3rd are expected to draw global attention.

Another highlight is the men’s decathlon, a gruelling 10-event challenge that tests versatility and endurance across two days, starting on August 2nd. This event offers a unique spectacle as athletes compete in a range of disciplines from sprints to jumps and throws.

Distance events also offer significant excitement, particularly the men’s and women’s marathon on August 10th and 11th respectively. These races through the streets of Paris will not only test the stamina of the athletes but also provide scenic views of the city.

Field events such as the men’s long jump and women’s pole vault finals, scheduled for August 6th and 7th, will showcase extraordinary leaps and technical skill, with athletes pushing the limits of human capability.

The introduction of the mixed 4 x 400m relay, with its final on August 4th, adds a new dynamic to the relay events, blending male and female athletes on the same team for a fast-paced and strategic race.

Swimming

The swimming events at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games are set to be a highlight, featuring a packed schedule with numerous opportunities for records and memorable performances. Key events to watch include the finals of the 100m freestyle, where swimmers compete in what is often referred to as the sport’s marquee event. The men’s 100m freestyle final on July 31st and the women’s on July 30th are expected to draw significant attention as top athletes push for gold.

Another highly anticipated set of races are the 400m freestyle finals. Scheduled for the evening of July 27th, these long-distance races test both the speed and stamina of the swimmers, often leading to dramatic conclusions.

For those interested in team competitions, the 4 x 100m freestyle relays on the first day of swimming, July 27th, provide a thrilling team-based dynamic, with countries fielding their fastest swimmers in a bid for relay supremacy.

Additionally, the individual medleys are events where swimmers must excel in all four major strokes. The men’s 200m individual medley final on August 2nd and the women’s 200m on August 3rd will showcase versatile swimmers competing in a demanding mix of butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle.

These events, among others, promise to make the swimming competitions in Paris a focal point for Olympic spectators, featuring both individual heroics and national team efforts.

Artistic Gymnastics

The gymnastics events at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games will be held at the Bercy Arena, featuring an array of competitions that showcase strength, flexibility, and artistic skill. Key events include the Men’s and Women’s Team Finals on July 29th and July 30th, respectively, where national teams compete in multiple apparatuses, combining individual scores for a team total. These events are crucial as they set the tone for the country standings in gymnastics.

The All-Around Finals are another highlight, with the Men’s final on July 31st and the Women’s on August 1st. These competitions require gymnasts to perform on all apparatuses, testing their versatility and endurance, and often result in the most prestigious individual medals in gymnastics.

Apparatus finals are scheduled from August 3rd to 5th and include specialists competing in their best events. Notable finals include the Men’s Floor Exercise and Women’s Vault on August 3rd, and the Women’s Uneven Bars and Men’s Rings on August 4th. Each event focuses on specific skills, from the dynamic tumbling of the floor exercise to the precision and strength in the rings.

The gymnastics schedule concludes with the Women’s Balance Beam and Floor Exercise Finals on August 5th, where athletes perform routines that blend artistic expression with acrobatic skill, often leaving memorable impressions on the audience. These events are crucial for gymnasts aiming to leave their mark on the Olympic stage.

Team Sports

In the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, team sports like football, volleyball, and basketball will draw significant attention due to their dynamic nature and international appeal.

The football tournaments begin on July 24, with notable matches including France vs the United States in the men’s group stage. This encounter, set for 21:00 at Marseille Stadium, is expected to be a highlight due to the strong footballing histories of both nations. In the women’s tournament, the match between the USA and Germany on July 28 at Marseille Stadium stands out, promising a clash between two of the world’s footballing powerhouses.

Volleyball action kicks off on July 27 at the South Paris Arena 1, with the men’s preliminary phases. A key event to watch is the men’s and women’s finals on August 10 and 11, respectively, where teams that have battled through the preliminary rounds and knockout stages vie for the gold medals. These matches are not only a test of skill but also of team cohesion and strategy.

Basketball begins with the men’s group phase on July 27, featuring teams from around the globe competing at Pierre Mauroy Stadium. A highlight match is Serbia vs the United States on July 29, expected to be a high-intensity showdown given their strong international standings. The women’s gold medal game on August 11 also promises to be a major event, featuring potentially the best teams in women’s basketball after a fiercely competitive tournament.

Athletes to Watch

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games will feature an array of global sporting talents. Key athletes to watch include:

Gymnastics

• Simone Biles (USA): Returning for potentially her third Olympics, Biles aims to build on her legacy as one of the greatest gymnasts ever. Despite challenges at the 2020 Tokyo Games, her return is highly anticipated.
• Suni Lee (USA): The first Hmong American Olympic medallist, Lee claimed gold in the all-around competition in Tokyo. She has overcome health challenges to compete in Paris.
• Shilese Jones (USA): Known for her prowess on the uneven bars, Jones aims for her first Olympic appearance after missing out in 2020.

Track and Field

• Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica): A dominant sprinter, Fraser-Pryce will compete in her final Olympics. With multiple Olympic medals already, she remains a top contender in the 100m.
• Sha’Carri Richardson (USA): After missing the Tokyo Olympics, Richardson won gold at the 2023 world championships in the 100m dash, establishing her as a major competitor for Paris.
• Yulimar Rojas (Venezuela): The world record holder in the triple jump, Rojas aims to exceed the 16-meter mark in Paris, building on her gold from Tokyo.
• Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya): Considered the greatest marathoner, Kipchoge seeks to add to his impressive Olympic medal tally, including golds from Rio and Tokyo.

Swimming and Surfing:

• Carissa Moore (USA): The reigning Olympic gold medallist in women’s surfing, Moore looks to end her competitive surfing career on a high note in Paris.
• Katie Ledecky (USA): With a record number of Olympic and world championship medals, Ledecky is a dominant force in long-distance freestyle swimming.
• Emma McKeon (Australia): The most decorated Australian Olympian, McKeon’s versatility in short-distance freestyle and butterfly events makes her one to watch.
• Caeleb Dressel (USA): Known for his sprinting ability, Dressel aims to replicate his success from Tokyo where he won five gold medals.

Prepare for the Paris Olympic Games at mr.play

As the 2024 Olympics approach, we will be publishing more articles with event previews, betting tips, athlete profiles, and more. We will also be offering hugely competitive odds on nearly every Olympic event, so be sure to visit our sportsbook and take advantage of all the betting opportunities.