THE GAMES ARE GO!

Preparations are well under way in the City of Lights for the world's greatest sporting spectacle

- DENNIS CAVERNELIS

FOR a world reeling from war, catastrophe, climate change and economic hardship, it simply can’t come soon enough.

It’s the greatest sporting spectacle on Earth, an extravaganza of excellence that helps us forget our woes for two shining weeks and marvel in the wonder of it all.

In three months the Paris Olympics will kick off – and after the delayed, Covid- altered 2020 Tokyo Games where athletes competed in near-empty stadiums the super-event will be a welcome return to normality.

“Games Wide Open” is the slogan for the 33rd Summer Olympic Games – and it promises to be an event like no other. After all, the French like to do things their way.

THE MASCOTS

The Phryges are the mascots of this year’s Games – colourful characters based on the famous Phrygian cap (worn by the Smurfs) and a symbol of liberty associated with the French Revolution.

The main Phryges are the Olympic and the Paralympic Phryges, which has a prosthetic running leg.

“Rather than an animal, our mascots represent an ideal,” says Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 organising committee.

“Since it’s familiar to us and appears on our stamps and the pediments of our town halls, it also represents French identity and spirit.”

THE OPENING CEREMONY 

For the first time in history, plans are underway for the opening ceremony to be held outside a stadium.

At 7pm on 26 July things will kick off with a 6-km parade along the River Seine.

Thousands of athletes will gather on 160 boats representing their national teams.