Guide to the Summer 2024 Olympics

WASHINGTON — Every four years, we may have a leap year, a United States presidential election, and the summer or winter Olympics. This year, we have all three and the Summer 2024 Olympics have officially kicked off in Paris.

Here, we’ll give you a guide on everything you need to know to tune in and keep up. After a brief history of the ancient tradition, we’ll tell you how to get the most from this year’s games.

A Brief History

The first Olympic Games may have been in 776 B.C. in Ancient Greece, but the actual date is unknown. In 1776, an English traveler, Richard Chandler, discovered the ancient Olympia site, which was excavated 100 years later. Along with some discovered writing, records and a dash of mythology, historians have cobbled together a possible history of the Olympics. 

In Ancient Greece, athletes gathered at Olympia for one day to compete in several sports. It was eventually extended to three days and then to five. They returned every four years, a period of time called an Olympiad. The sports were running, long jump, discus and javelin throw, boxing, wrestling, pankration (a combat sport that combines wrestling and boxing), and equestrian sports (chariot race and horse riding race). They also had opening and closing ceremonies and gave out awards.

The Ancient Games later became known as the Panhellenic Games and the Romans participated. The purpose of the games is unknown, but one theory is that they were to honor the mythological Greek gods Zeus, Apollo and Poseidon. The Ancient Games continued every four years for the next 1000 years, until Christian emperor Theodosius I banned them. He considered them a “pagan cult celebration.”

Over 1,500 years later, after the discovery of Olympia, Baron Pierre de Coubertin sought to revive the Olympic Games and created the first Olympic Congress. The first modern Olympics took place in 1896 in Athens, Greece. At the second Olympics, held in Paris in 1900, women were allowed to compete. 

Since then, the Olympics have been held every four years in cities around the world, with many countries participating. Starting in 1994, the Winter and Summer Olympics were separated and are now held every two years, so both would occur during a four-year “olympiad.”

The Summer 2024 Olympic Sports

Fast forward to today. The Summer Olympics officially kicked off in Paris on Friday, July 26, with the opening ceremony. The games will last two weeks, with the closing ceremony on Sunday, August 11. Teams from 206 countries and territories will compete.

Summer and winter Olympics cover different sports — here’s what to expect from this one.

Summer Olympics Sports

• Archery and Shooting
• Aquatic Sports:
  • Swimming, Artistic Swimming, Marathon Swimming.
  • Canoe: Slalom and Sprint.
  • Diving, Rowing, Sailing, Surfing, Water Polo.
• Ball Sports:
  • Badminton, Basketball, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Rugby, Table Tennis, Tennis, Beach Volleyball, Volleyball.
• Combat Sports:
  • Boxing, Fencing, Judo, Taekwondo, Wrestling.
• Cycling:
  • BMX freestyle and racing, Mountain Bike, Road, Track.
• Gymnastics:
  • Artistic, Rhythmic, Trampoline.
• Athletics:
  • Track & Field (Jumping, Running, Throwing).
• Breaking.
• Equestrian.
• Modern Pentathlon.
• Skateboarding.
• Sport Climbing.
• Triathlon.
• Weightlifting.

The events will take place at several venues in Paris and throughout France. Surfing, a newer addition, will take place in Teahupo’o, Tahiti. 

Team USA Featured Athletes

Rooting for Team U.S.A.? These are the featured athletes to look out for.

• Basketball:
  • A’ja Wilson.
  • Lebron James.
• Beach Volleyball:
  • Sara Hughes.
  • Kelly Cheng.
• Breaking:
  • Victor Montalvo.
• Gymnastics:
  • Simone Biles.
  • Frederick Richard.
  • Sunisa Lee.
• Track & Field:
  • Sha’Carri Richardson.
  • Noah Lyles.
  • Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
  • Grant Holloway.
  • Ryan Crouser.
  • Tara Davis-Woodhall.
  • Gabby Thomas
• Surfing:
  • Carissa Moore.
• Swimming:
  • Katie Ledecky.
  • Caeleb Dressel.
  • Kate Douglass.
  • Robert Finke.

How to Keep Up

The Olympics will be broadcast on NBC, and some will be shown on USA, the Golf Channel, CNBC, and E!. You can also stream it on Peacock. The website NBCOlympics.com will have live coverage, highlights, and stats — you can also catch it on the NBC Olympics app.

The NBC Olympics website also has a schedule page to keep up with your favorite events.

Let the Games Begin

From 776 BC to 2024, the Olympics are an athletic tradition with ancient roots. Watch as the most elite athletes from around the world compete in the summer sports.

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