Paris Olympics Comparison Illustration

Countries Represented

1924

44 countries represented, 27 of which were European

2024

200 countries represented, as well as the IOC Refugee Olympic Team

Cost to the City

1924

10 million francs ($1.8 million)

2024

€8.2 billion ($8.9 billion)

Olympic Village

1924

Featured the first-ever Olympic Village of portable wooden cabins that housed three people each

2024

Includes 3,500 apartments that will accommodate 14,250 athletes and team officials

Media Coverage

1924

Approximately 1,000 journalists covered the Olympics, which were the first Games to be broadcast over radio

2024

The IOC will give out 6,000 official press accreditations for the Paris 2024 Olympics – with a total media presence that’s likely to be significantly higher

Athletes

1924

3,089 (135 women), including notable feats by athletes like Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi and American swimmer Johnny Weismuller

2024

10,500 (5,250 men and women), featuring stars like American gymnast Simone Biles, sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson, and Brazilian skateboarder Rayssa Leal

Sports and Events

1924

126 events across 23 sports

2024

329 events across 32 sports

Timing and Scoring Technology

1924

The Heuer Mikrograph Pocket Chronometer, accurate to one one hundredth of a second, was a stopwatch of choice at the time

2024

Electronic timing systems are accurate to one thousandth of a second; Omega’s Quantum Timer has a resolution of one millionth of a second

Medal Counts

1924

Approximately 378 medals awarded, but no medal ceremonies were held

2024

Approximately 987 medals will be awarded

Spectators

1924

625,000 spectators

2024

8.6 million tickets sold of 10 million available

Cost of a Baguette

1924

0.30 francs ($0.05)

2024

€4.07 ($4.42)

Cost of a Newspaper

1924

0.25 francs ($0.04)

2024

€3.00 - €4.00 ($3.26-4.34)

Popular French Pastries

1924

Boulangeries offered a modest selection of staples alongside simple pastries like the croissant, which France declared a national product in 1920

2024

Boulangeries and patisseries offer a wide variety of bread types and an extensive range of pastries, including a variety of “Instagram-able” croissants

Final slide