Five Facts about the Paris Olympic Games for AREA Sports Lovers

Introduction:

There'll be sweat, tears, heartbreak and joy in Paris over the coming fortnight when the world's best athletes compete at the Summer Olympic Games. From boxing and badminton to javelin and judo, the Paris games will have something for everyone. As the opening ceremony is tonight (26 July), here are five fun facts about the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad to mark the occasion.

THE HISTORY

Paris is no stranger to hosting the Olympics. The Games also took place in the French capital in 1900 and 1924. The only other city to host the Summer Olympics three times is London.

DIFFERENT SPORTS

The Paris Games will feature 32 sports, including athletics, archery, wrestling, water polo, rugby sevens and 3x3 basketball. You won't see karate, softball or baseball (they've been dropped), but you will see breaking (breakdancing). New to the Olympics, breaking is expected to appeal to younger audiences. However, it may also prompt some sports fans to raise an eyebrow and ask, 'Is that really a sport?'

COMPETITORS

More than 10,000 athletes from 200 countries will compete this year, and, for the first time, there will be an equal ratio of male and female athletes. A Refugee Team comprising 36 athletes who cannot train in their own country due to conflict or persecution will also participate.

VENUES

Host cities always relish the chance to showcase themselves to the rest of the world, and Paris will be no exception. The imposing Palace of Versailles will host equestrian events, while the iconic Eiffel Tower will serve as a backdrop to beach volleyball. Unusually, one event will take place almost 10,000 miles away in Tahiti. The French Polynesian island will host the surfing.

MASCOTS

Olympic mascots are always rubbish (remember weird Wenlock from the London Games?), and it seems French organisers are continuing the tradition. The Paris 2024 mascot is a red hat called Phryge. Why did the organisers choose an item of headwear for a mascot? It's because the Phrygian cap is synonymous with liberty in France as it was worn by revolutionaries.

Good luck to all the athletes. Go, Team GB!