Paris kicks off type of Summer Olympics never been tried before

PARIS, France — The Olympics will highlight the world’s best athletes, and Etienne Thobois, with the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, said they will be competing next to some of the world’s most amazing landmarks.

“The best athletes in one of the most iconic cities in the world,” Thobois said.

Venues for the Olympic Games have been built all over Paris with iconic landmarks as the backdrop.

The Seine River is home to the opening ceremony, the Eiffel Tower has beach volleyball, and La Concorde will be a busy spot hosting BMX freesytle, breaking, skateboarding and 3×3 basketball. The Grand Palais, Versailles and nearly every Paris landmark is being transformed into an Olympic venue.

“Like the Champs-Élysées, the Eiffel tower, the Seine River is an important part of the concept,” Thobois said.

The plan is to take sports out of stadiums and make the Olympics a more open sporting event by using temporary, less expensive venues, while also making the Games more inviting for people to watch.

“Perfectly embodies these Games to make them wide open, and that’s going to be fantastic experience,” Thobois said.

Roland Garros Stadium, home to the French Open, will be the Olympic tennis venue and also the venue for boxing. About a dozen landmarks being used during the Games, along with several existing stadiums.