France has a long and illustrious history with the Olympic Games, having hosted the prestigious event on five occasions and preparing for a sixth in 2024. The country’s first foray into hosting the Games was in 1900, with Paris playing host to the Summer Olympics. This marked a significant event, as it was only the second time the Games were held after the inaugural event in Greece. The 1900 Paris Olympics spanned over five months, with the organizers referring to it as the ‘international competition of physical exercises and sports.’ The term ‘Olympic’ was not widely used at the time, leading many participants to be unaware of their participation in the Games. This historical event saw the participation of 997 athletes, including 22 women, representing 24 countries, competing in 95 events. British tennis player Charlotte Cooper etched her name in history by becoming the first woman to claim an individual Olympic gold medal in the women’s singles tournament during these Games.
Six Olympiads later, Paris once again hosted the Olympics in 1924. By this time, the term ‘Olympics’ had gained recognition, attracting considerable interest. The 1924 Games featured 126 trials across 17 sports, with 135 women among the 3,089 athletes participating. A total of 44 countries sent their athletes to compete in these Games, which spanned over four months. This edition of the Games also witnessed the revival of old traditions, blending sports and cultural events. Architectural, literary, painting, sculpture, and music competitions took place from March 15 to April 15, 1924, as a precursor to the sporting competitions held between May 4 and July 27. Another notable innovation of the 1924 Games was the introduction of the Olympic Village, a concept adopted by every subsequent edition of the Games. The inaugural Village, situated near the Stade Olympique in Colombes, northwest of Paris, comprised makeshift wooden cabins, each accommodating three athletes. The Village provided athletes with three meals daily and shared amenities like toilets, showers, and a refectory. It also offered essential services, including a currency exchange bureau, dry cleaners, hairdressers, a newsagent, and a post office.
Following the 1924 Paris Olympics, the International Winter Sports Week, sponsored by the International Olympic Committee, was held in Chamonix from January 25 to February 4, 1924. This event marked the official beginning of the Winter Games, despite the inclusion of some ice sports events in previous Olympics, such as ice hockey during the Antwerp Games in 1920. The Chamonix Games witnessed the participation of 258 athletes, including 11 women, representing 16 nations, in 16 trials across six disciplines. The Games garnered considerable public attention, attracting over 10,000 paying spectators, prompting the International Olympic Committee to organize the Winter Games regularly in subsequent years.
After the success of Chamonix, France hosted the Winter Games again after 44 years, this time in Grenoble. The surrounding mountains of Belledonne, Vercors, and Grandes Rousses provided the backdrop for events on the slopes, while Grenoble itself hosted the ice tournaments. The Grenoble Games also featured several firsts in Olympic history. It was the first Olympic Games to be broadcasted in color. The Organizing Committee introduced the concept of a mascot to the Olympics, christening it ‘Shuss.’ The mascot quickly gained popularity, becoming a ubiquitous symbol on keychains, magnets, clocks, and other everyday items. Since then, every Olympic Games has embraced the tradition of having a mascot.
France secured the hosting rights for its third Winter Games, 24 years after the Grenoble Games in 1968. This time, the venue was Albertville, which included the neighboring Tarentaise and Beaufortain valleys. The Albertville Games, held from February 8 to February 23, welcomed 1,801 athletes, including 488 women, representing 64 countries competing in 57 events. The opening ceremony, featuring over 3,000 artists, left viewers in awe. The grand finale of the ceremony brought a surprise as the last torchbearer, whose identity was kept secret until the last moment, turned out to be French football legend Michel Platini. Albertville also made history by becoming the first city to host both the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in 1992. A month after the conclusion of the Olympics, the Winter Paralympics took place from March 25 to April 1.
The Summer Games are set to return to France after a century, the last time the country hosted them being in 1924. The Paris Games aspire to create history by becoming the first carbon-neutral Games, the first gender-equal Games, and the first Games to welcome all participants. This ambition reflects France’s dedication to sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation within the Olympic movement.
