The 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games are special in many ways. First, the Games have added a new sport. In addition to climbing, skateboarding, and surfing, which had their grand premières in Tokyo in 2021, breakdance will make a debut in 2024 games. The idea to include all these is to set a new standard for inclusive, gender-balanced and youth-centred games.
Another is the venue. It is being held at the iconic destination, Paris. After the Games of 1900 and 1924 held in Paris, this time the sporting event with tens of thousands of Olympics, competing in more than 3,000 Olympic qualifiers across 32 sports, will take place in multiple venues. The organisers are even setting up an Olympic Village to accommodate as many people in the city.
The organisers of the Games have announced a partnership with French designer Mathieu Lehanneur to create the Olympic and Paralympic torches and cauldrons which will be unveiled later in 2023. There are a total of 62 pictograms and these also have a new look. Luxury conglomerate LVMH has become a premium partner of the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games. Let’s take a look at all this in detail: Paris is the official destination for the games to be held from July 26 until August 11, 2024. From cleaning the river Seine to providing a total of 2,61,800 rooms for the Olympics, which is considerably more than it had in 2019 before the pandemic, the city is pacing up for this grand event.
The inspiration of the torch comes from the ripping reflection of the Eiffel tower on the Seine River. French designer Mathieu Lehanneur and production partner ArcelorMittal have worked on a poetic approach to the Olympic and Paralympic torches and cauldrons, which are great symbols of the Games. As per Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet, the designer has taken inspiration from the themes of equality, water, and peacefulness.
Lehanneur’s works stretch across countless fields of expression: projects linked to mobility (hybrid engine boat, foldable electric bike), street furniture, interior design for museums and shops, technological product design, exclusive works, and more. The torch is made of steel, 70 cm high and weighs 1.5kg, very symmetrical on all sides.
The pictograms have a new look that represent a ‘badge of honour’. The pictograms embody French elegance, a bold new aesthetic and the rich symbolism of the paved streets found in France’s urban landscapes. The new look comes to life in colour with blue, red, green and violet representing the richness and diversity of France.
Luxury giant Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) is a premium sponsor of the event, which is expected to attract 9.7 million spectators next year. LVMH’s luxury jewellery and watch brand Chaumet will design the games’ medals and wines and spirits, whereas Moët Hennessy will provide wine and spirits during the games, Sephora will help with the Olympic Torch Relay. Other brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Berluti are also engaged in different aspects through the period of the games. The company is sponsoring specific athletes like French swimmer Léon Marchand. The luxury conglomerate reportedly has struck the sponsorship deal for about $166 million (€150 million).
In fact, there’s a gold rush of luxury brands eyeing the games for branding, launching special editions and offers with a big potential in the world of sports. Other sponsors include Airbnb, Alibaba, Coca-Cola, Deloitte, Samsung, P&G, Toyota and others.
But the Swiss watchmaker Omega, which has provided timekeeping equipment and services for the Los Angeles 1932 Olympic Games, and has committed to continue the role as official timekeeper of the Olympic and Paralympic Games until 2032, has launched the Seamaster 300M ‘Paris 2024’ Special Edition sporty timepiece.
As of now, Omega says it’ll only be available at Omega boutiques in Paris. The new special edition is a standard Seamaster 300M but with a moonshine gold bezel and a few other details that pay tribute to the coming 2024 Games.