Paris 2024: A Century of Olympic Glory
From the historic 1924 Games to today's event, Paris celebrates a century of Olympic honour. Here, The Rake guides you with all you need to know.
In 1924, Paris hosted the Summer Olympics. For the first time in history, the Games marked the acceptance of the Olympics as a major global event with widespread appeal. The number of participating National Olympic Committees surged from 29 to 44. This newfound popularity was confirmed by the presence of over 1,000 journalists from around the globe.
Notably, some of the most heroic performances were illustrated by an impeccably presented Team GB on the track, including highlights such as Richard Norris Williams’ gold in tennis mixed doubles and the gold medals won by Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell in the 100 meters and 400 meters, respectively. Their stories were later famously depicted in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire.
As the Games return to Paris a century later, The Rake celebrates with Issue 94 the Team GB’s achievements at the greatest Games of all time. We honour the athletes of days gone by through our sartorial depiction of the 1924 Summer Games.
With the slogan "Games Wide Open," the 2024 Paris Olympics will commence on Friday, July 26th, and run through August 11th. There will be 329 events, including the debut of breakdancing. A total of 10,500 athletes will compete. Following the Olympics, the Paralympics will occur from August 28th to September 8th, featuring 4,400 athletes in 549 events.
For the first time, the opening ceremony will take place outside a traditional stadium, along the banks of the Seine, directed by acclaimed stage director Thomas Jolly. The parade of athletes will be conducted on the river itself, with each national delegation aboard a boat. The event will be open to the public without an admission fee, and 80 large screens around Paris will broadcast the ceremony.
The Olympic Torch and Cauldron, designed by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, are standout elements of the 2024 Games. The torch, crafted from champagne-toned steel with a rippled finish inspired by the Seine, symbolizes equality with its symmetrical design. This Olympics will feature equal numbers of male and female competitors, and for the first time, the Olympic and Paralympic Games will share the same torch design.
The medals, designed by LVMH jeweler Chaumet, incorporate an 18g piece of iron from the Eiffel Tower, repurposed from parts replaced since the tower’s construction in 1889. The trays on which the medals will be presented at each winner’s ceremony will be signed by LVMH Louis Vuitton, decorated with the brand’s signature checkered pattern, which needs no introduction. Entirely made in France and crafted in the Maine-et-Loire atelier by the brand’s expert artisans, the trays are designed to meet the requirements of the task perfectly. They are made to be as light as possible, able to hold between 2 to 6 medals, and will be covered in matte leather, matching the interior of the trunks containing the torch and medals.
In addition to the medals, Team France’s opening ceremony outfits designed by Berluti, and the Louis Vuitton trunks, LVMH has also revealed the unisex outfits for the medal bearers, selected from national sports federations across France. A nod to the 1920s and the first time Paris hosted the games in 1924. Made in France from 100% eco-designed materials, the outfit includes a polo made in the Vosges, a gavroche (both in jersey made from fabric scraps from the Group's Maisons), and trousers produced by the NOMADE factory, made of recycled polyester.
Less than a month before the start of the Olympics, the city is bustling. From the banks of the Seine to the suburbs, the capital is donning its best attire, combining its rich historical heritage with the innovation of the Olympic Games while respecting its commitment to sustainable development. Since April, the capital has been transforming into a vast open-air playground, with iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Place de la Concorde being reinvented as temporary stadiums.
The Eiffel Tower: A Beacon of Sports Spectacle
The Eiffel Tower, the iconic symbol of Paris, will be at the center of the stage for beach volleyball and men's indoor football competitions. The temporary stadium, aptly named Stade Tour Eiffel, will be built at the foot of the tower, allowing spectators to watch the events while marveling at the architectural grandeur of the monument.
Place de la Concorde: A Stage for Urban Sports
Place de la Concorde, one of the largest and most historically significant squares in Paris, will transform into a hub for urban sports, hosting BMX freestyle, 3x3 basketball, breaking, and skateboarding. The temporary stadiums, strategically placed around the obelisk, will create a tailor-made atmosphere for these dynamic disciplines.
Grand Palais: A Showcase for Fencing
The Grand Palais, an iconic site among Parisian monuments, has long served as a prestigious setting for numerous events, both sports and arts. Built for the 1900 Paris Exposition and constructed using the most advanced techniques of the time, it boasts a majestic nave topped with an impressive glass roof. Currently undergoing renovations, it will reopen specially for the event, where it will host two sports combining precision and elegance: fencing and taekwondo.
Château de Versailles: A Sumptuous Setting for Equestrian Events
The Château de Versailles, famous for its majestic gardens, sumptuous architecture, and royal history, will serve as a magnificent backdrop for the equestrian events. The temporary equestrian stadium, nestled in the peaceful beauty of the gardens, will offer spectators a unique opportunity to witness the grace and skill of horse and rider.
