Paris 2024: 9 surprising facts about the Olympic Games

From Ancient Olympia to Paris 2024, check out our favourite facts as we count down to the Olympic Games.

1. In 2024, surfing will break the record for the farthest competition to be held outside the host city. Surfing will take place in Tahiti, 15,000km from Paris.
2. The official mascots of Paris 2024, The Phryges, are modelled on the red phyrygian caps during the French Revolution of 1789.
3. A whopping 10,500 athletes from 206 countries will compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

4. The athletics track at Stade de France will be a bright purple instead of the usual terracotta, for the first time in history. Italian rubber manufacturer Mondo will supply the 17,000 square metres of track.
5. The newest sport at the Paris Games will be Breaking (breakdancing).
6. The Paris 2024 Games will achieve gender equality in athlete numbers for the first time ever.

7. For the first time ever, the Opening Ceremony will not be held in a stadium. In Paris 2024, it will instead be held along the iconic Seine River, with athletes sailing down the river for 6km, before gathering at the Trocadero for the lighting of the Flame.
8. The five Olympic rings represent Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania.
9. Every Olympic torch relay begins in Olympia, the home of the Ancient Olympic Games.

Westfield’s partnership with the New Zealand Olympic and Paralympic teams will see all 5 Westfield centres across Aotearoa, New Zealand transform into Fan Zones for our customers to enjoy key events and matches direct from Paris. More information on the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games coming soon.