As the countdown to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics reaches the 50-day mark, the city’s iconic Eiffel Tower now proudly displays the Olympic rings. The rings, made from recycled French steel, each measuring 9 meters in diameter, were unveiled today on the south side of the 135-year-old landmark, overlooking the Seine River.
This significant installation comes as Paris gears up for the Summer Games, scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, followed by the Paralympics starting on August 28. The Olympic rings, lifted into place overnight by two massive cranes, weigh 30 tons and are set to be illuminated nightly with 100,000 LED bulbs, offering a dazzling display through the duration of both the Olympics and Paralympics.
The opening ceremony on July 26 promises a spectacular sight, with thousands of athletes set to parade through the heart of Paris on boats along a 6-kilometer route on the Seine River, concluding at sunset. The Eiffel Tower, affectionately known as La Dame de Fer (The Iron Lady), will feature prominently throughout the Games. It will host volleyball competitions at its base, where a temporary stadium on the Champ de Mars will accommodate nearly 13,000 fans.
In a nod to Paris’s rich history and the significance of the Eiffel Tower, the medals for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics will contain pieces from a hexagonal chunk of iron taken from the tower. This unique addition aims to symbolize the connection between the event and the host city.
