Paris 1924

The Paris Games signalled the acceptance of the Games as a major event with widespread appeal.

Mass appeal

The number of participating National Olympic Committees jumped from 29 to 44, signalling the advent of the Olympic Games as a major event with widespread appeal. This newfound popularity was confirmed by the presence of over 1,000 journalists.

Closing Ceremony

These Games introduced the Closing Ceremony ritual as we know it today. This involves the raising of three flags: the flag of the International Olympic Committee, the flag of the host nation and the flag of the next host nation.

No time to lose

Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi won five gold medals to add to the three he had won in 1920. His most spectacular performance occurred on 10 July. First, he easily won the 1500m and then, a mere 55 minutes later, he returned to the track to win the 5,000m.

Hollywood material

American swimmer Johnny Weissmuller three two golds. He claimed two further golds at the 1928 Games and went on to become famous playing Tarzan of the Apes in 12 movies. The Paris Games themselves became immortalised in “Chariots of Fire”, the Oscar-winning film about principled British runner Eric Liddell.

NOCs: 44
Athletes: 3,089 (135 women, 2,954 men)
Events: 126
Volunteers: n/a
Media: 1,000 journalists

Immortalised by a film

These Games were better known as the Olympic Games of Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, the "Chariots of Fire" Games, immortalised on the silver screen by Hugh Hudson.

Protocol ceremony

At the Closing Ceremony, the practice of raising three flags (one for the International Olympic Committee, one for the host country and one for the future host country of the Games) was instigated.

Artistic heights

The art competition reached its apogee.

Tennis

Last appearance of tennis until the 1988 Games.

Athletes' accommodation

First time that the athletes were accommodated in an Olympic Village, a group of wood cabins.

The mass media of the era

First broadcast.

The interest of the public and the media

625,000 spectators and 1 000 journalists.

A future film star

Peter John “Johnny” Weissmuller made his first Olympic appearance. He also participated in the 1928 Games and then went on to Hollywood where he famously became Tarzan.

Ceremonies

Paris 1924. French athlete George André takes the Olympic Oath.

Official opening of the Games by:
President Gaston Doumergue

Lighting the Olympic Flame by:
A symbolic fire at an Olympic Summer Games was first lit in 1928 in Amsterdam.

Olympic Oath by:
Georges André (athletics)

Official Oath by:
The officials' oath at an Olympic Summer Games was first sworn in 1972 in Munich.

On the obverse, a naked victorious athlete, taking the hand of his rival, seated on the ground, to help him to get up. Underneath, the Olympic rings.

On the reverse, a harp as a symbol of the cultural programme of the Games and the different sports equipment, winter as well as summer, forming an arch. In the centre, the inscription "VIIIe OLYMPIADE PARIS 1924". A total of 912 copies were made- 304 gold medals and the same number of silver medals, as well as 306 bronze medals.

It shows semi-naked athletes, a reminder of Antiquity, making the Olympic salute. In the background, the flag of the French Republic. In the foreground, palm leaves, symbols of victory.

The official report, entitled “Les jeux de la VIIIe Olympiade Paris 1924”, was a handsome work and very rich in terms of content. It also included a report on the 1st Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix.