The International Olympic Committee Reflects on Paris 2024

As the curtain draws on Paris 2024, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have publicly released some of the incredible facts and figures from the Games. 

Looking to showcase the immense value that the Olympics can bring to future host nations and the global community, Paris 2024 made history as the first game organised under the Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms. 

In a games that featured breathtaking venues and record-breaking performances, Paris 2024 maintained a key focus on youth engagement, inclusivity, urban settings, and sustainability. With full gender parity achieved through equal representation of male and female athletes, these Games have set a benchmark for equality in sports. Olympic and world records were shattered, and athletes achieved historic milestones, captivating audiences worldwide.

Sporting Achievements

• 19 Days of Competition: Athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team participated.
• 32 Sports, 48 Disciplines: Held across 35 venues, with four new sports introduced: skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing, and breaking.
• Historic Firsts: Breaking made its Olympic debut, and 15 new events were added.
• Medal Milestones: 329 medal events took place, with 5,084 medals crafted, including iron from the Eiffel Tower.

Botswana, Dominica, Guatemala, and Saint Lucia also celebrated their first Olympic gold medals.

Fan Engagement and Attendance

The IOC has reported record attendance and fan participation, underlining the Games’ widespread appeal:

• Tickets Sold: Over 9.5 million out of 10 million available tickets.
• Spectator Zones: 145,000 fans gathered in 743 zones, including 2,250 along the River Seine for the Opening Ceremony.
• Public Participation: Nearly one million people attended Olympic road cycling races, and over 6 million visited celebration sites nationwide.

Attendance records were also set in Rugby 7s, handball, and Beach Volleyball.

Gender Equality and Inclusion

The Games achieved significant milestones in gender equality, reinforcing the IOC’s commitment to inclusivity:

• Flag Bearers: 196 NOC delegations selected one male and one female athlete as flagbearers.
• Balanced Events: The schedule featured 152 women’s events, 157 men’s events, and 20 mixed-gender events.
• Volunteers and Staff: Women comprised 50% of the 45,000 volunteers, with equal representation in the Organizing Committee.

Olympic Solidarity and Support

The Olympic Solidarity program provided crucial support, leading to outstanding performances:

• 604 Scholarship Holders: Competed, with 74 medals won by scholarship recipients.
• Support Grants: Assisted teams in winning three medals and seven diplomas.
• Flag Bearers: 139 scholarship holders were flagbearers at the Opening Ceremony.

Media and Digital Reach

Paris 2024’s media strategy amplified the Games’ reach, showcasing their global impact:

• Media Rights-Holders: 36, including the Olympic Channel, with 182 broadcast sublicensees.
• Global Engagement: Over half of the world’s population engaged with the Games.
• Digital Platforms: Olympics social media channels saw over 12 billion engagements, and app usage reached approximately 300 million people.

Legacy and Sustainability

Paris 2024 set benchmarks for sustainability and community impact, providing a model for future hosts:

• Sustainable Practices: Aimed to cut carbon emissions by half compared to previous Games.
• Venue Utilisation: 95% of venues were existing or temporary, with public transport accessibility.
• Community Benefits: 5,000 new sports facilities across French neighborhoods and the transformation of the Olympic Village into a residential eco-district.

Olympic Torch Relay

The relay spanned 68 days, celebrating French culture across cities and overseas territories, drawing around 8 million spectators.

As attention turns to LA 2028, there’s no doubt that Paris 2024 has been a Games to remember, setting a precedent for what events of this scale can achieve in creating a lasting, impactful legacy.