While the 2024 Paris Olympics technically begin on Wednesday, July 24 with group play in men’s soccer, the 2024 Paris Olympics officially get underway on Friday, July 26 with the opening ceremony at 7:30 p.m, (ET) It will end on Sunday, August 11.
More than 10,000 athletes from more than 200 countries and territories is traveling to France to compete in 45 sports across 329 events.
A Brazilian Legend
Every athlete dreams of competing in the Olympic Games, even just once in their career. Then there is Marta, who is going to her sixth Games.
The Brazilian icon is one of the greatest footballers in history, a six-time FIFA World Player of the Year and two-time Olympic silver medalist. Paris 2024 will be her last shot at Olympic gold, and at 38, she is more motivated than ever.
“I was working towards this, naturally,” Marta told Globo. “This was a result of the work I had been doing up to that point. It was not just because of my name. I earned it. It is a relief because it is very difficult to reach an extremely high level and stay there for many years, and to have the chance to play at my sixth Olympics.”
Marta made her Olympic debut at Athens 2004 at just 18 – in her own words, “I was just a little girl” – and won silver, repeating the same result at Beijing 2008.
She has been unfortunate not to win that elusive gold thus far, with consecutive silver medals and Brazil always making the quarter-final stage. Upon receiving her sixth consecutive callup, Marta has high hopes for Paris.
“Winning is a matter of details, and I believe that this generation have what it takes to go all the way,” she said. “We can see now that we have progressed in every sense; technically, tactically, a much better structure. There is so much room to grow. I have always made it very clear that there is always something more to learn.
“This is why I have been able to enjoy a long career in the game. Being here again and playing in my sixth Olympics is a landmark achievement.”
Despite Brazil’s rich football heritage, they have never won the women’s football gold medal. They will hope to write history when the Paris 2024 women’s football tournament kicks off on 25 July, with Brazil opening their campaign against Nigeria in Bordeaux. The game is scheduled to start at 1pm. (ET).
Source: By Nischal Schwager-Patel. Original text at https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024