Celebrating the Paris Olympics with Usain Bolt
Credit : Paris 2024
EIFFEL TOWER STADIUM / CHAMP DE MARS ARENA
What better way to simultaneously celebrate the 2024 Olympic Games and Paris than to incorporate the city ’ s most prominent , recognizable , and symbolic landmark , the Eiffel Tower ?
While the Eiffel Tower will provide a memorable setting for both the men ’ s and women ’ s beach volleyball tournaments , which will take place in the open air right next to the Iron Lady , the Champ de Mars Arena , a 100,000-square-foot temporary building located on the famous grassy lawns between the Eiffel Tower and the École Militaire , will host the judo and wrestling competitions .
PALACE OF VERSAILLES
The Palace of Versailles , or the Château de Versailles as it is formally known , was initially built as a hunting lodge for King Louis XIII before being transformed into an awe-inspiring palace by his son , Louis XIV throughout much of the 17th and 18th centuries . It has since become an enduring symbol of French opulence and grandeur , and for the Paris 2024 Games , this UNESCO World Heritage site , with its sprawling gardens and ornate architecture , will find new life as an Olympic venue .
This summer , the former royal residence will host equestrian and modern pentathlon events held in a temporary venue in the palace ’ s sumptuous garden . Marathon runners will also see it as the 42,195km race route weaves from Paris to Versailles and back to Paris in honor of the Women ’ s March on Versailles , a protest during the French Revolution .
PLACE DE LA CONCORDE
Place de la Concorde , one of the most notable public squares in Paris , has , throughout history , witnessed innumerable significant events and national celebrations , including the victory celebrations at the end of the First World War and the Liberation of Paris in WWII . It is also the home to the Luxor Obelisk , the oldest monument in Paris .
In the shadows of history , old will meet new , as all urban sports , from 3x3 basketball and breaking to BMX freestyle and skateboarding , converge in a temporary urban park erected in the fabled square .
THE GRAND PALAIS
Built for the Exposition Universelle in 1900 , the Grand Palais , a stunning glass and steel structure designed by renowned architect Henri Deglane , is a love letter to the grandeur of the Belle Époque era . Currently in use as a museum , art gallery , exhibition , and concert hall for the Paris 2024 Games , it will serve as the venue for fencing and taekwondo events .
STADE DE FRANCE
With a seating capacity of nearly 80,000 , the Stade de France , located in the suburb of Saint-Denis , is the most prominent and well-known stadium in France and among the largest stadiums in Europe . The state-of-the-art facility has witnessed historic sporting moments for more than two decades , including the 1998 men ’ s FIFA World Cup . This summer , the arena will provide an electric setting for more history as it hosts the closing ceremony for the 2024 Olympics , the rugby sevens , and several athletic events , including track and field .
FLYWASHINGTON . COM 24 SPRING 2024