Whether it's a coincidence of history or the will of the city of Paris, the 2024 Olympic Games will take place exactly 100 years after those of 1924. Back then, the budget wasn't quite as substantial, but many sites were created for the occasion. Since then, most of them have disappeared or been abandoned, but there are still a few vestiges of the competition, including one that will be used for the second time for these new Olympic Games in the capital! In 1924, these were only the 8th Olympic Games in history, while the current ones will be the 66th!
The Stade Olympique de Colombes was built at the time to accommodate the athletes. The 45,000-seat stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the equestrian, soccer and gymnastics events. Since enlarged and renamed the Stade Yves-du-Manoir, it was also used for the 1938 World Cup and the European Athletics Championships. In 1993, some of the stands disappeared as they were too old, but Racing 92 renovated the stadium, which can now accommodate 14,000 people. And it's the only existing site that will be used again, this time for field field hockey events.
The Olympic pool, located in Paris's 20th arrondissement and renamed Georges Vallerey, was the site of American swimmer Johnny Weissmuller's record-breaking 400m freestyle in under a minute during the 1924 Olympic Games. Refurbished in 1989, it now welcomes some 1,500 people for regional swimming meetings and championships.
No longer a competitive sport today, Basque pelota was played between France and Spain in 1924. For the occasion, an open-air complex was built in the 16th arrondissement, whose fronton still exists today and serves as a playground for lovers of the sport in Paris.
The venue has been in existence for almost 120 years and, prior to 1924, hosted the 1900 Olympic Games in the Bois de Vincennes. Renamed the Jacques-Anquetil velodrome, it no longer meets standards for official competitions, but is used today by the Parisian veterans' velo-club, as well as for Paris Université Club rugby matches.
The Vél' d'Hiv, where fencing, weightlifting and boxing competitions were held, is one of the infrastructures that has disappeared. Destroyed in 1959 after the tragedy of the Second World War, it has now been replaced by office buildings.
Olympics Paris 2024: all the news and information about the Olympic Games
As Paris prepares to host the Olympic Games in 2024 from July 26 to August 11, we bring you a quick roundup of the essential news and info you need to know before the big event. From ticketing to the Olympic Village, from venues to history, find out what's on tap as we get closer. [Read more]
Olympics Paris 2024: all the news and information about the Olympic Games
