As we’re watching the 2024 Paris Olympic Video games, the superb feats of all of the unimaginable athletes are clearly high of thoughts. However generally there are another (lower-stake) happenings that worm their method into our ideas too. And let’s simply say, we’ve racked up a lot of questions because the Paris Video games have been unfolding.
We took a deep dive into among the quirks, technicalities, and different defining elements that make every sport stand out. Go forward, give the checklist a learn—we wager you’ve had the identical burning questions as nicely. And maintain checking again right here all through August; we’ll proceed to replace this story with extra questions and solutions all through the Video games.
Why is the observe purple?
One perk of internet hosting the Olympics is attending to design the aesthetics of the Video games, and the French take this function severely. The Olympic Committee designed what they’re calling “The Look of the Video games by Paris 2024” to present the whole metropolis (plus Tahiti and different French competitors websites) a unifying feel and look—working observe included. The colours of this yr’s Video games are blue, purple, inexperienced, and purple, and if you happen to’re updating the stadium observe for a world viewers, why not add a splash of colour?
As for why purple, the reply is straightforward: The Parisian Olympic Committee wished to be iconic. They summed it up in a press launch, explaining that the purple floor, “will permit the photographs of the Paris 2024 Video games to be engraved within the reminiscences of spectators, tv viewers, and athletes alike.” And Mondo, the Italian firm that created the working floor on the Stade de France integrated one other pillar of the “Look of the Video games” into the observe: Sustainability. This observe will get its bounciness from the Mediterranean–particularly ground-up mussel and clam shells. Paris would be the first time athletes attain their goals of gold on a placing purple background powered by shellfish.
Why are Australia’s uniform colours inexperienced and yellow, when their flag is purple, white, and blue?
We could also be tuning in to see medals received and data smashed, however we’re additionally right here for the suits. And it’s laborious to not discover that the Australian staff is repping fairly a distinct colour scheme than their purple, white, and blue flag.
It seems that the nation’s nationwide colours are gold and inexperienced. Gold represents, nicely, the {hardware} the athletes hope to deliver dwelling (additionally wealth, sandy seashores, an ample grain harvest, and the sunny hue of Australian wool). The colourful inexperienced represents the nation’s lush forests and fields, well-known gum timber, and ‘horizons of rising crops.” In case you take a more in-depth have a look at the Aussie uniforms, you’ll additionally see every is designed with Indigenous prints. In response to the Australian Model, Group Australia’s wardrobe represents “the most important integration of Indigenous paintings on athlete uniforms in Australian Olympic historical past.”
Does the Olympic cauldron in Paris have actual fireplace in it?
On the very finish of the 2024 Olympic opening ceremony, two French athletes—sprinter Marie-José Pérec and judo athlete Teddy Riner—ignited an enormous cauldron of what seemed to be fireplace within the iconic Jardin des Tuileries within the middle of Paris. The practically 23-foot fiery ring, which is connected to an enormous balloon, burns within the Tuileries every day of competitors and floats 200 toes into the air every night time, letting all of Paris get view. Don’t fear, there’s no fireplace hazard right here; the flame is an phantasm created by misting water and lightweight generally known as EDF. In response to NPR, that is the primary yr the Olympic cauldron doesn’t comprise an actual flame. Seems, it takes 200 water misters and 40 LED bulbs to maintain the Olympic “flame” flickering, based on The New York Occasions.
What’s up with the water polo caps and ear covers?
Water polo is a high-contact sport: Think about competing with 13 gold-motivated Olympians for a maintain on the identical ball—in a pool, no much less!—and also you would possibly need to take some protecting measures, too. Head and ear accidents are pretty widespread in water polo matches, and ear guards are an vital security measure for gamers. The rounded ear coverings buffer gamers from the errant elbow of a fellow participant, and defend in opposition to scrapes and cuts in addition to extra severe eardrum accidents and even cauliflower ear—a situation that outcomes from repeated blunt trauma to the ear. Other than security, the ear guards additionally maintain participant’s ears dry, which may make it simpler for teammates to speak in the course of the bustle of a match—particularly underwater.
What’s in that mysterious field medalists get on the podium?
In case you’ve caught round after a contest for the post-event ceremony, you’ve most likely clocked the thriller field athletes obtain together with their bronze, silver, or gold. The unassuming cardboard field is a few foot lengthy—however inside there’s no trophy, baton, or magical wand inside. Seems, it’s a commemorative Paris 2024 poster. And also you don’t must clinch any Olympic {hardware} your self to get your arms on one: They’re $32 on the official Olympic store.
Why are the Olympics held each 4 years?
We are able to thank the traditional Greeks for bringing us the Olympic Video games—and for making us wait 4 years to see our favourite swimmers and gymnasts on the worldwide stage. In response to the Worldwide Olympic Committee, time was measured in four-year blocks known as Olympiads. At this time’s Olympic schedule pays tribute to the traditional calendar.
Why do male gymnasts’ uniforms appear like footie pajamas?
For one, as WFLA experiences, the footie pj’s are literally stirrup pants and socks. And the selection of uniform is definitely for good motive, as Ian Gunther, a four-time NCAA champion at Stanford, defined in an informative TikTok two years in the past. Whereas demonstrating on totally different apparatuses, Gunther says all of it has to do with security and judging.
