First look: Photos from Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Images from the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games offer a stunning glimpse into the dramatic and heavily Parisian-themed day.
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Céline Dion shares heartwarming message to Olympic athletes after ...
NBC Universal, Inc. Celine Dion performs on the Eiffel Tower during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympics. Shortly after Céline Dion stunned the ...
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Olympics - 10 things to know with detail
The modern Olympics were founded by Pierre de Coubertin in 1896 in Athens, Greece. The first modern Olympics featured athletes from 14 countries competing in 43 events.
The Olympics are held every four years, alternating between the Summer and Winter Games. The Summer Olympics feature a wide range of sports such as track and field, swimming, gymnastics, and basketball, while the Winter Olympics focus on cold-weather sports like skiing, ice hockey, and figure skating.
The Olympic rings symbolize the five continents of the world coming together in friendly competition. The colors of the rings (blue, yellow, black, green, and red) were chosen because every nation's flag contains at least one of these colors.
The Olympic flame is lit during a ceremony in Olympia, Greece, and then carried to the host city where it burns throughout the Games. The flame symbolizes the ancient Greek tradition of lighting a flame to honor the gods.
The host city of the Olympics is chosen through a bidding process by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Cities submit bids outlining their plans for hosting the Games, and the IOC selects the winning city based on factors such as infrastructure, accommodations, and financial stability.
The Olympic motto is "Citius, Altius, Fortius," which is Latin for "Faster, Higher, Stronger." This motto emphasizes the goal of athletes to continually push themselves to achieve greater feats of athleticism.
The Olympic Games have been canceled only three times in history: during World War I in 1916, World War II in 1940 and 1944. The Games have also been boycotted by several countries in protest of political issues, most notably the United States boycotting the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.
The most successful Olympian of all time is swimmer Michael Phelps, who has won a record 23 gold medals and 28 total medals over his career. Other notable Olympians include track and field athlete Usain Bolt, gymnast Simone Biles, and figure skater Yuna Kim.
The Olympic Village is a housing complex where athletes stay during the Games. The Village features dining halls, recreational facilities, medical services, and security to ensure the safety and comfort of the athletes.
The closing ceremony of the Olympics features the passing of the Olympic flag to the next host city, as well as the extinguishing of the Olympic flame. The ceremony often includes cultural performances, music, and fireworks to celebrate the end of the Games.