The excitement in Paris is palpable as the 2024 Olympic Village officially opened its doors on Thursday, welcoming the first wave of athletes from around the globe! 🌍✨ Delegations from Australia, Brazil, Argentina, and Kenya have already arrived, bringing an electric atmosphere to the city of love and lights.
Located in the vibrant north of Paris, the Olympic Village spans a whopping 54 hectares—think about 540,000 square meters of pure awesomeness! 😲 It's set to be the temporary home for nearly 14,500 people, including 9,000 athletes at its peak. Imagine the energy buzzing in this place!
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach was there to celebrate the grand opening, alongside Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, and Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant, Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission.
\"Finally, we are here. It has been a long journey these seven years, but it has been a hugely rewarding one,\" Bach shared with enthusiasm. \"We have a wonderful Olympic Village, and all the ingredients for a great Olympic Games are here.\" 🎙️
The Village isn't just a place to crash after competitions—it's an athlete's paradise! 🏖️ With about 80 buildings, including a massive 3,200-seat dining hall serving up food from around the world (yum! 🍔🍣🍝), a 24-hour fitness center to keep those muscles pumping 💪, a 3,500 square meter polyclinic, a multi-faith center for spiritual needs, and even a mini-market for those late-night snack cravings.
\"It's a Village that was built by athletes, for athletes,\" said Laurent Michaud, the Village Director. \"We've been able to provide all these services in an optimal way so that the athletes have only one thing to do, and that is to focus on their competitions.\"
Mark your calendars! 🗓️ The 2024 Olympic Games kick off on July 26 and run through August 11. About 10,500 athletes from 206 countries and regions, along with the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, will compete in 329 events across 32 sports. It's going to be epic! 🏆🔥
Are you as hyped as we are? Let the countdown begin! ⏳🎉
Reference(s):
2024 Paris Olympic Village officially opens to welcome first athletes
cgtn.com
