The Paris Olympics are almost here. Here are 5 things to know – National

Team Canada will compete at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which begin in a week in the French capital.

More than 300 Canadian athletes, spanning 32 sports, will compete for medals in Paris over the next two weeks.

Interest in this year’s Summer Olympics, which take place every four years, has increased, according to a recent Ipsos poll reported exclusively to Global News.

Nearly six in ten respondents said they were interested in the Paris Olympics. That is significantly more than previous surveys that showed 32 percent were interested in the 2022 Games in Beijing and 33 percent in the 2020 Games in Tokyo.

As excitement mounts, here are some of the most popular questions people in Canada are asking on Google about the Paris Olympics.

1:56
Why Paris built fewer stadiums for the 2024 Olympics

The Games officially begin on July 26 with the Opening Ceremony, but some competitions will start as early as July 24.

Breaking with tradition, the opening ceremony, which begins at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, will take place outside a stadium and on the River Seine.

During the ceremonial parade, more than 10,000 athletes will sail down the Seine in boats.

The Olympic Games end on August 11 with the closing ceremony.

The Paralympic Games will be held later, from August 28 to September 8.

2:20
Health issues: It’s unclear whether the Seine in Paris will be ready for Olympic swimmers

The Canada Olympic Games begin on July 25 with a match between the Canadian women’s soccer team and New Zealand in Group A.

Swimming competitions will take place from July 27 to August 4.

Receive the latest national news

Sign up for news stories that impact Canada and the rest of the world. You’ll receive instant notifications of breaking news as soon as it appears.

By submitting your email address you indicate that you have read and agree to the Global News terms and conditions. Conditions And Privacy Policy.

The athletics events begin on August 1 and last until the final day of the Games, August 11.

The Canadian Olympic Committee has published the full schedule on the olympic.ca websiteeven when Canadians participate in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Breakdancing or breaking, an urban dance style with roots in hip-hop culture, is making its Olympic debut in Paris.

Skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing are also making a comeback as optional sports, after being first practiced at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Yes.

American gymnast and Olympic champion Simone Biles will return to the Summer Olympics after withdrawing from multiple finals in Tokyo in 2021 to protect her mental health and safety.

The 27-year-old leads a US women’s gymnastics team that features many familiar faces and is looking for redemption in Paris.

Meanwhile, WNBA star Brittney Griner, who served 10 months in a Russian prison for possession of vape cartridges containing cannabis oil, is also one of the players to watch.

Griner will play her first international match since her release through a prisoner exchange.

1:07
‘That’s Marriage’: Biden Praises Griners for Support, Dedication in Relationship

The United States and China were the top countries in the medal standings at the previous two Olympic Games in Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro.

Team Canada hopes to improve on its 11th-place finish from the previous Summer Games.

The US took home 113 medals, China won 89 and Canada took home 24 in Tokyo.

— with files from Craig Lord of Global News and The Associated Press

© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.