Paris is ready for the Summer Games. With new sports and gold medals at historic locations, a very special major event awaits in the heart of France.
The European Football Championship is barely over and the sporting world is already looking ahead to the next major event: the Olympic Games in Paris. Starting on July 26, 329 gold medals will be awarded in 32 sports in France. Which German athletes are among the gold candidates, are there still tickets available and what is the security situation like? The German Press Agency answers the most important questions.
Who are the biggest stars of the games?
The US basketball players in particular are travelling with an impressive line-up of international stars. LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are aiming for gold. The tennis team is no less prominent: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal want to prevent the next coup by Tokyo Olympic champion Alexander Zverev. Exceptional gymnast Simone Biles from the USA, marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya, US sprint star Noah Lyles and American swimmer Katie Ledecky also have great star potential. Football legend Marta is back with the Brazilians, and German table tennis veteran Timo Boll is a celebrated hero, especially in China.
Which sports are new?
For the first time, medals will be awarded in breakdance, where so-called B-boys and B-girls compete against each other in dance duels. Also new are the disciplines of kitesurfing in sailing and the marathon relay in walking. In sport climbing, the combination competition only consists of bouldering and lead. Speed will become a separate discipline. A new weight class in women’s boxing, extreme kayaking and a mixed event in shooting will also be introduced. Baseball, 50-kilometer walking and karate are no longer on the program. There will be a few fewer disciplines in weightlifting.
Who are Germany’s medal hopes?
After his German record in the decathlon, Leo Neugebauer is considered a promising candidate for gold, long jumper Malaika Mihambo would like to repeat her Olympic victory from 2021 in Tokyo and javelin thrower Julian Weber also has a chance in the track and field. Precious metal is also expected from the riders around Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Michael Jung, the rowers with Oliver Zeidler and the canoeists are also aiming for medals. In the team sports, in addition to the two hockey teams, basketball world champion Germany is also dreaming of a coup – just like the women’s soccer players. Alexander Zverev would like to take home his second gold, as would swimmer Florian Wellbrock. Swimming medals also seem possible for Lukas Märtens, Angelina Köhler and Leonie Beck.
Are Russian athletes allowed to participate?
Due to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Russians and Belarusians are only allowed to compete under a neutral flag. Their national anthem will not be played, and national symbols and flags are also prohibited. Teams remain excluded. To be admitted, athletes must have no connection to the army or security forces and must not have actively shown their support for the war in Ukraine. The International Olympic Committee has set up a three-person commission to examine the admission requirements. Overall, only a few athletes from both countries have been given permission to compete in Paris.
What is the security situation like?
The terrorist threat in France remains “extremely high,” as Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin confirmed. France declared the highest terror alert level in March. At the end of May, investigators foiled plans for an Islamist terrorist attack on a football match during the Olympic Games. Further arrests were made in connection with possible terrorist plans at the beginning of July. Around 70,000 security forces are to be deployed around the Olympics, including around 35,000 police officers and 15,000 soldiers. Other countries such as Germany are also sending personnel to France.
This time, the opening ceremony presents the authorities with particular challenges. The games will not be opened in the stadium, but in the city center on the Seine. With the victory of the new left-wing alliance in the election, at least the fear that there would be continued riots and unrest in France right up until the time of the Olympic Games has evaporated.
Where can I watch the competitions?
The Summer Games will be shown on ARD, ZDF and Eurosport. ZDF will begin broadcasting the women’s soccer tournament on July 25th. ARD will be showing the opening ceremony on Friday and the first day of competition on Saturday. After that, the two channels will alternate daily and offer a total of 240 hours in their main programs. Eurosport even promises a 24-hour program. The two public broadcasters will also jointly offer up to ten parallel live streams with around 1,500 hours of coverage, which can also be viewed in the respective media libraries. The paid streaming platform Discovery+ will show more than 3,800 hours of live sport with all 329 medal decisions.
How else can I get tickets for the games?
Consumer protection groups are warning people who decide at short notice not to buy tickets directly from individuals on site, as fraudsters will try to make money this way. It is recommended that tickets should only be purchased on the official Olympic sales website or on the official resale website. Tickets that have already been purchased can be resold to interested parties on this website since mid-May. Tickets for many competitions are already largely or completely sold out. Anyone who still wants to take part in France will therefore need luck as well as the necessary money. The cheapest tickets for qualifying competitions were originally available for 24 euros, while the most expensive tickets were estimated at 980 euros per person.
Source: Stern
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