STANDARDS

Common Core: RH.6-8.1, RH.6-8.2, RH.6-8.4, RH.6-8.7, WHST.6-8.4, RI.6-8.1, RI.6-8.2, RI.6-8.4, RI.6-8.7, W.6-8.4

NCSS: Culture • Time, Continuity, and Change • People, Places, and Environments • Individuals, Groups, and Institutions • Science, Technology, and Society • Global Connections

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Photo of the Seine River in Paris decorated for the Olympics

©Paris2024

U.S. & WORLD NEWS

Sports

Olympic Countdown!

Here are three reasons the Summer Games in France will be très cool. 

A History of the Games
Watch a video about the history of the Olympic Games.
World map highlighting Paris, France

Jim McMahon/Mapman®

Starting this July, 10,500 of the world’s best athletes will gather in Paris, France, for the Summer Olympics. For more than two weeks, they’ll compete in events in 32 sports, including swimming, gymnastics, and basketball. This marks the 30th time the Summer Games will be held. The first modern Olympics took place in Athens, Greece, in 1896. What will set the Paris Games apart? Take a look!  

Photo of a break dancer performing in front of crowd

Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images

Victor Montalvo, U.S. breaker

1. A New Sport 

Breaking—also known as breakdancing—will debut as an official Olympic sport. The urban dance style is a high-energy mix of acrobatic moves, gravity-defying tricks, and dizzying head and back spins. It originated in New York City in the early 1970s as part of hip-hop culture. 

Photo of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

Shutterstock.com

The Olympic medals will include old iron from the Eiffel Tower.

2. A French Twist

The action will take place at some of Paris’s most famous landmarks. Athletes will sail along the Seine River for the opening ceremony. Beach volleyball players will compete under the Eiffel Tower. And tae kwon do will take place at the Grand Palais, a historic exhibition hall.

Photo of two female Olympians

Melinda Meijer/ISI Photos/Getty Images (Sha’carri Richardson); Al Bello/Getty Images (Jajaira Gonzalez)

Sha’Carri Richardson, U.S. sprinter (left) and Jajaira Gonzalez, U.S. boxer (right)

3. A Big Win for Women

For the first time, an equal number of men and women will compete. Women weren’t even allowed to take part in the 1896 Games. For decades afterward, they were limited to certain events, such as golf and tennis. It wasn’t until 2012 that women could compete in all Olympic sports. What might the future hold?

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History

A History of the Games

Watch a video about the history of the Olympic Games.
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