On Friday, the Paris Olympics organizers unveiled the five Olympic rings displayed on the Eiffel Tower, marking 50 days until the Summer Games begin.
The rings, made of recycled French steel, will showcase on the south side of the 135-year-old landmark in central Paris, overlooking the Seine River. Each ring has a diameter of 9 meters (30 feet).
On July 26, at sunset, thousands of athletes will parade through Paris, sailing along a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) route on the Seine during the opening ceremony.
The Paris Olympics, taking place from July 26 to August 11, will feature iconic venues, including the Eiffel Tower, known as La Dame de Fer (The Iron Lady). The base of the 330-meter (1,083-foot) tower will host men’s and women’s volleyball matches, with nearly 13,000 spectators at the temporary Eiffel Tower Stadium on the nearby Champ de Mars, a popular spot for picnics and fireworks on July 14.
The Olympic and Paralympic medals incorporate pieces from a hexagonal iron fragment of the Eiffel Tower, symbolizing the spirit of Paris in the Games.
With the upcoming 2024 Games, the Eiffel Tower has seen a rise in visitor numbers. Two large cranes lifted and installed the 30-ton structure between the tower’s first and second floors overnight on Friday.
The Olympic rings will illuminate every night with 100,000 LED bulbs throughout the Paralympic Games, which begin on August 28, 17 days after the Olympics’ closing ceremony.
The Paralympics will bring together 4,400 athletes from 180 countries, competing in 549 events across 22 sports. Many of these sports will take place near landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Versailles, and the Grand Palais.
The Spectaculars!
The Olympic rings are now live in Paris, displayed on our most iconic monument: the Eiffel Tower. Created by ArcelorMittal and coordinated with the Eiffel Tower, this giant installation will illuminate the City of Lights from now until the end of the Games.… pic.twitter.com/tIaeQYkf2V
— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) June 7, 2024
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