Paris

The Paris 2024 torch, designed by Mathieu Lehanneur, is crafted entirely from recycled steel, featuring a champagne-colored surface, standing 70 cm tall and weighing 1.5 kg. Its design, inspired by equality, water, and peace, showcases harmonious lines and a golden ring symbolizing unity. For the first time, the Olympic and Paralympic Games share the same logo, mascot, and torch, reflecting a strong commitment to inclusion. The spectacular and innovative Opening Ceremony took place on the River Seine: 85 boats carried 6,800 athletes to the Eiffel Tower, where Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner lit a cauldron suspended beneath a hot air balloon, paying tribute to the Montgolfier brothers. The Games’ emblem merges three symbols: the gold medal, the Olympic flame, and Marianne, the personification of the French Republic. This edition marked a milestone in gender equality and welcomed new disciplines such as breaking, alongside skateboarding, surfing, and climbing. Italy excelled with 403 athletes and 40 medals: 12 gold, 13 silver, and 15 bronze, reaffirming its sporting prestige.