The best athletes on the planet will congregate in France this summer to take part in the biggest carnival of sports in the world – the Olympic Games.
And just like the previous Games, this year's Olympics, which take place in July-August, will feel the impact of elements beyond the sporting arena.
The Tokyo Olympics was held in the shadows of a global pandemic. This time, it is the unrest due to heightened terrorism threats and ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza that is having an impact on Europe and the Games in particular.
The hope is that it will be an incident-free Paris Olympics, remembered for the right reasons, especially when it comes to planning and efficiency.
The cost of hosting any Olympic Games is regularly questioned, given that it routinely spirals out of control. But this time, only two new permanent venues have been built for Paris 2024 to make the event cost-effective.
Almost all events are set to take place at existing venues or in front of temporary stands. For example, beach volleyball will be played in front of the Eiffel Tower, archery at the Invalides monument, skateboarding is set to place at Place de la Concorde, and the Chateau de Versailles will host the equestrian events.
In all, around 200,000 seats are being installed at the temporary venues.
There are other significant moves afoot. Athletics is set to become the first sport to offer prize money to Olympic champions. The 48 gold medallists in Paris this year will earn $50,000 each, ending a 128-year tradition.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said there had been no discussion with the International Olympic Committee, but stated that his organisation had informed the IOC about the $2.4 million prize pot.
As we count down to the start of the Paris Games – on July 24 with the opening ceremony two days later – here is what you can expect.
Paris Olympics 2024 venues
Aquatics Centre
Events: Water polo, diving, artistic swimming; Capacity: 5,000
Bercy Arena
Events: Artistic gymnastics, basketball, trampoline; Capacity: 15,000
Champ de Mars Arena
Events: Judo, wrestling; Capacity: 9,000
Chateau de Versailles
Events: Equestrian, pentathlon; Capacity: 80,000
Chateauroux Shooting Centre
Events: Shooting; Capacity: 3,000
Eiffel Tower Stadium
Events: Beach volleyball; Capacity: 12,000
Elancourt Hill
Events: Cycling mountain bike; Capacity: 25,000
Bordeaux Stadium
Events: Football; Capacity: 42,000
La Beaujoire Stadium (Nantes)
Events: Football; Capacity: 35,000
Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium (St Etienne)
Events: Football; Capacity: 42,000
Parc des Princes
Events: Football; Capacity: 50,000
Lyon Stadium
Events: Football; Capacity: 60,000
Marseille Stadium (Stade Velodrome)
Events: Football; Capacity: 68,000
Nice Stadium (Stade de Nice)
Events: Football; Capacity: 35,000
Grand Palais
Events: Fencing, taekwondo; Capacity: 8,000
Hotel de Ville
Events: Marathon
Invalides
Events: Archery, marathon, cycling; Capacity: 8,000
Parc Urbain La Concorde
Events: 3x3 basketball, breakdancing, BMX, skateboarding; Capacity: 30,000
Le Bourget
Events: Sport Climbing; Capacity: 5,000
Le Golf National
Events: Golf; Capacity: 35,000
Marseille Marina
Events: Sailing; Capacity: 5,000
North Paris Arena
Events: Boxing, pentathlon; Capacity: 6,000
Paris La Defense Arena
Events: Swimming, water polo; Capacity: 15,000
Pierre Mauroy Stadium
Events: Basketball, handball; Capacity: 26,000
Pont Alexandre III
Events: Cycling, marathon swimming, triathlon; Capacity: 1,000
Porte de la Chapelle Arena
Events: Badminton, rhythmic gymnastics; Capacity: 8,000
Roland Garros
Events: Tennis, boxing; Capacity: 36,000
Saint-Quentin Velodrome
Events: Cycling, BMX; Capacity: 5,000
South Paris Arena
Events: Handball, weightlifting, table tennis, volleyball; Capacity: 6,000
Stade de France
Events: Athletics, rugby sevens, closing ceremony; Capacity: 77,000
Tahiti
Events: Surfing; Capacity: 5,000
Trocadero
Events: Athletics, road cycling; Capacity: 13,000
Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium
Events: Canoe, rowing; Capacity: 22,000
Yves-du-Manoir Stadium
Events: Hockey; Capacity: 15,000
Events
The 2024 Olympics will feature 329 events in 33 sports, including the 28 "core" Olympic events. Breakdancing is set to make its Olympic debut as an optional sport, while skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing return from the 2020 Tokyo roster.
How to watch Olympic Games in the UAE
The 2024 Paris Olympics will be shown on beIN Sports in the UAE and Mena region.
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
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The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km
The biog
Favourite book: Animal Farm by George Orwell
Favourite music: Classical
Hobbies: Reading and writing
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Freezer tips
- Always make sure food is completely cool before freezing.
- If you’re cooking in large batches, divide into either family-sized or individual portions to freeze.
- Ensure the food is well wrapped in foil or cling film. Even better, store in fully sealable, labelled containers or zip-lock freezer bags.
- The easiest and safest way to defrost items such as the stews and sauces mentioned is to do so in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Gulf Under 19s
Pools
A – Dubai College, Deira International School, Al Ain Amblers, Warriors
B – Dubai English Speaking College, Repton Royals, Jumeirah College, Gems World Academy
C – British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Yasmina Academy
D – Dubai Exiles, Jumeirah English Speaking School, English College, Bahrain Colts
Recent winners
2018 – Dubai College
2017 – British School Al Khubairat
2016 – Dubai English Speaking School
2015 – Al Ain Amblers
2014 – Dubai College
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
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