For nearly three weeks beginning this July, more than 10,000 athletes from around the globe will gather in Paris, France. They’ll face off in more than 300 events, from diving to basketball. After years of intense training, these athletes will have one goal: to take home an Olympic medal. Millions of spectators will cheer them on in person. Billions more will tune in on their TVs or devices. Here are five reasons you won’t want to miss this epic event.

This summer, more than 10,000 athletes will gather in Paris, France. They’ll come from around the world. They’ll compete in more than 300 events. They have one goal: to win an Olympic medal. Millions of spectators will cheer them on in person. Billions more will tune in on their TVs or devices. Here are five reasons you won’t want to miss this epic event.

Near the end of July, more than 10,000 athletes from around the globe will gather in Paris, France. For nearly three weeks, they’ll face off in more than 300 events, from diving to basketball. After years of intense training, these athletes will have one goal: to take home an Olympic medal. Millions of spectators will cheer them on in person, and billions more will tune in on their TVs or devices. Here are five reasons you won’t want to miss this epic event.

    Paris is known for its landmarks. Each year, the city draws millions of tourists. They visit beautiful castles, gardens, and museums. This summer, many of those famous venues will host Olympic events. 

    Tae kwon do will kick off under the glass dome of the Grand Palais, a historic building. Beach volleyball players will play next to the city’s most iconic landmark: the Eiffel Tower. 

    And for the Opening Ceremony, athletes won’t parade around a stadium like they usually do. Instead, they’ll sail in on 160 boats along the city’s Seine River. How’s that for a grand entrance?

    Paris has many famous landmarks. Millions of tourists go to Paris each year. They visit castles, gardens, and museums. This summer, many of those famous venues will host Olympic events. 

    Tae kwon do will be held at the Grand Palais, a historic building. Beach volleyball will take place next to the Eiffel Tower. It’s the city’s most iconic landmark. 

    For the Opening Ceremony, athletes won’t parade around a stadium like they usually do. Instead, they’ll sail in along the city’s Seine River. They will be on 160 boats. 

    Paris is known for its landmarks, and each year, the city draws millions of tourists. They visit beautiful castles, gardens, and museums. This summer, many of those famous venues will host Olympic events. 

    Tae kwon do will kick off under the glass dome of the Grand Palais, a historic building. Beach volleyball players will compete next to the city’s most iconic landmark: the Eiffel Tower. 

    And for the Opening Ceremony, athletes won’t parade around a stadium like they usually do. Instead, they’ll sail in on 160 boats along the city’s Seine River. How’s that for a grand entrance?

    Olympic medals are often designed with the host city in mind. They may show a famous building or a symbol from the country’s flag. But this year, they’ll hold an actual piece of Paris. Inside each of the 2,600 medals is iron from the Eiffel Tower.  

    Built in 1889, the Eiffel Tower has become a symbol of France. Over the years, the tower has been renovated to keep it in tip-top shape. As part of the process, pieces of it have been removed and stored away. Now—after a careful polish—they’re getting a new life.

    The design of Olympic medals often includes something from the host city. They may show a famous building. They may have a symbol from the country’s flag. This year, they’ll hold an actual piece of Paris. There is iron from the Eiffel Tower inside each of the 2,600 medals.  

    The Eiffel Tower is a symbol of France. It was built in 1889. Over the years, the tower has been renovated. As part of the process, pieces of it have been removed. They were stored away. Now they’re getting a new life.

    Olympic medals are often designed with the host city in mind, such as featuring a famous building from the city or a symbol from the country’s flag. But this year, they’ll hold an actual piece of Paris. Inside each of the 2,600 medals is iron from the Eiffel Tower.  

    Built in 1889, the Eiffel Tower has become a symbol of France. Over the years, the tower has been renovated to keep it in tip-top shape. As part of the process, pieces of it have been removed and stored away. Now—
after a careful polish—they’re getting a new life.

    The first modern Olympics took place in 1896. At the time, women weren’t allowed to compete at all. Four years later, that rule changed. But women were still limited to certain events, like golf and tennis. It wasn’t until 2012 that women could take part in all sports. This summer, an equal number of men and women will compete. That’s an Olympic first!

    The first modern Olympics took place in 1896. Back then, women weren’t allowed to compete. Four years later, that rule changed. But women could only do certain events, like golf and tennis. In 2012, women could finally take part in all sports. This summer, an equal number of men and women will compete. That’s an Olympic first!

    The first modern Olympics took place in 1896. At the time, women weren’t allowed to compete at all. Four years later, that rule changed, though women were still limited to certain events, like golf and tennis. It wasn’t until 2012 that women could take part in all sports. This summer, an equal number of men and women will compete—an Olympic first!

    The Olympics are the world’s largest sporting event. That means they create a lot of garbage—and not just tons of everyday trash. Often the host city builds housing for athletes and new sports arenas. All that construction creates a large amount of waste.

    This year, Paris wants to change that. It will host 95 percent of its sporting events at locations that already exist. 

    The Games will also be powered by renewable energy. (That’s energy that comes from things nature can replace, like wind and sunlight.) Officials hope this will help make the Paris Olympics the greenest Games yet.

    The Olympics are the world’s largest sporting event. They create a lot of garbage. Often the host city builds housing for athletes. It builds new sports arenas. That construction creates a lot of waste.

    Paris wants to change that. It will host most of the events at locations that already exist. 

    The Games will also be powered by renewable energy. (That’s energy that comes from things nature can replace, like wind and sunlight.) Officials hope this will help make the Paris Olympics the greenest Games yet.

    The Olympics are the world’s largest sporting event, which means they create a lot of garbage—and not just tons of everyday trash. Often the host city builds housing for athletes and new sports arenas. All that construction creates a large amount of waste.

    This year, Paris plans to change that by hosting 95 percent of its sporting events at locations that already exist. 

    The Games will also be powered by renewable energy, which is energy that comes from things nature can replace, like wind and sunlight. Officials hope this will help make the Paris Olympics the greenest Games yet.