Parisian Olympics Begin this Friday

After COVID-19 pandemic restrictions kept spectators away for the last two Olympic Games, Paris, France is prepared to welcome back crowds with a splash.

Opening ceremonies will take place on Friday, July 26 with a unique opening ceremony invlving the Seine River. The ceremony will kick off 16 days of sporting events held across the city and beyond.

Here’s what else to know ahead of the games before the opening ceremony on Friday.

•An opening ceremony like no other. Close to 100 boats carrying more than 10,000 athletes and performers will glide down the Seine River during the opening ceremony. It’s the first time in the history of the modern Olympics that’s being held outside of a stadium, officials say.

• A swimmable Seine? There’s also the matter of the Seine as a competition venue. The sewage-polluted waters have been a hurdle to the city’s ambitious goal to hold the swim leg of the triathlon in the famous river where swimming has been historically banned.

•Breaking or break dancing will make its Olympic debut.

•Simone Biles leads the U.S. gymnasts’ shot at redemption. Practically the same U.S. women’s gymnastics team that took home a silver medal in Tokyo is hoping to bring home gold in Paris. Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time came down with a case of the “twisties” in Tokyo which forced her to withdraw from several events. Joining Biles is Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and 16-year-old newcomer Hezly Rivera.

•Ledecky and Dressel headline U.S. swim team. Entering her fourth Olympics, Katie Ledecky continues to dominate the 800- and 1,500-meter freestyle events, in both of which she still holds the world records. In men’s swimming, the U.S. is hoping that Caeleb Dressel can pick up where he left off winning five gold medals in Tokyo.

•A Chinese doping scandal casts a shadow over swimming. The scandal sparked international outrage in April when 32 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug ahead of the Tokyo games but were cleared.

• The rivalry between American and Jamaican sprinters resumes. The 100-meter sprint, the most popular track event, and the 200-meter, have shaped up to be a familiar two-nation race for the women and men. Look for Sha’Carri Richardson, Gabby Thomas, Noah Lyles, and Kishane Thompson to star in these events.

• In soccer, U.S. women hope to get back to winning gold. The U.S. men play their first Olympics in a while. The U.S. women’s national team is aiming to upgrade their bronze medal from Tokyo.