The Paris Olympics 2024 are almost here! Can’t make it to Paris? Learn how to watch all the excitement online in Hong Kong. Get ready for all the action – whether it’s on the track, in the pool or on the court –with our Olympics mini guide.
When are the Olympics 2024 happening?
The 2024 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, will be held from Friday, 26 July to Sunday, 11 August. The Paralympics will follow, running from 28 August to 11 September. This year, the games will feature 33 sports and a total of 329 events.
Where are the games taking place?
This year’s Summer Olympics is being held in Paris, France, but the events will extend to other cities across the country due to the wide variety of sports and the number of athletes involved. There’s even an event being held thousands of kilometres from the French mainlain! The surfing competition will be held at the renowned Teapuho’o surf break off an island in French Polynesia! With these non-Paris events, you’ll still get to see the Eiffel Tower and other iconic Parisian landmarks during the featured segments.
When does the Paris Olympics opening ceremony start?
The Paris Olympic Games 2024 will begin on Friday, 26 July 2024 at 1.30am in Hong Kong (7.30pm CET in Paris) with an opening ceremony on the Seine. A parade of 10,500 athletes will sail along the river on a fleet of 94 boats, with spectators in the area enjoying the display for free!
Traditionally, the Opening Ceremony marks the official start of the Games. Viewers can expect programs showcasing the host country’s culture and history, the Parade of Nations, the release of doves, and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.
Most spectators can attend the Opening Ceremony for the first time without needing tickets (fans can access the upper quays for free). This will be the largest Opening Ceremony in the Games’ history.
How to watch it live in Hong Kong for free?
Hongkongers can watch the Paris Olympics and Paralympics for free on local TV channels this summer. The government has secured broadcasting rights, allowing coverage on TVB, ViuTV, HOY TV, and RTHK. Chief Executive John Lee announced this at a press conference, highlighting that the initiative meets the public’s desire to cheer for their favourite athletes without any cost.
Hong Kong athletes participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics
Badminton
- Lee Cheuk-yiu: Men’s Singles
- Lo Happy Sin-yan: Women’s Singles
- Yeung Nga-ting: Women’s Doubles
- Yeung Pui-lam: Women’s Doubles
- Tang Chun-man: Mixed Doubles
- Tse Ying-suet: Mixed Doubles
Tse Ying-suet and Tang Chun-man return after placing fourth in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Fencing
- Ho Wai-hang: Men’s Épée
- Cheung Ka-long: Men’s Foil
- Vivian Kong: Women’s Épée
- Daphne Chan: Women’s Foil
Cheung Ka-long made history by winning Hong Kong’s first gold medal in fencing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Gymnastics
- Shek Wai-hung: Vault
Shek Wai-hung, competing for the third time, debuted in the 2012 London Olympics and participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Rowing
- Chiu Hin-Chun: Lightweight Men’s Single Sculls
Chiu Hin-chun previously competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, finishing 19th.
Sailing
- Nicholas Halliday: Men’s ILCA7
- Akira Sakai: Men’s 49er
- Russell Aylsworth: Men’s 49er
Sailing has a special place in Hong Kong’s sports history, with Lai Shan Lee winning HK’s first ever Olympic gold medal in windsurfing at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Swimming
- Siobhán Haughey: Women’s 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m Freestyle; Women’s 4×100m Medley Relay
- Stephanie Au: Women’s 4×100m Medley Relay; Women’s 4×100m Freestyle Relay
- Camille Cheng: Women’s 4×100m Medley Relay; Women’s 4×100m Freestyle Relay
- Natalie Kan: Women’s 4×100m Medley Relay
- Ian Ho: Men’s 50m Freestyle
- Cindy Cheung: Women’s 200m Backstroke
- Tam Hoi-lam: Women’s 4×100m Freestyle Relay
- Li Sum-yiu: Women’s 4×100m Freestyle Relay
Siobhán Haughey became the first Hong Kong swimmer to win an Olympic medal, earning two at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Taekwondo
- Lo Wai-fung: 68kg Category
Lo Wai-fung secured Hong Kong’s first Olympic qualification in taekwondo after winning three consecutive games in the Asia qualification round.
Key Events for the Paris Olympics 2024
26 July (11.30 pm CET): Opening Ceremony
For the first time in Summer Olympics history, the Opening Ceremony will be held outside the traditional stadium. It will unfold along the iconic Seine River, transforming the athletes’ parade into a dynamic river procession. Each national delegation will be aboard its own boat, navigating a six-kilometre route through the heart of Paris. The procession will culminate at the Trocadéro with final ceremonious displays and shows. An estimated one billion viewers worldwide will tune in to watch this live show.
27 July: Competition Begins
Click here for the whole Paris Olympic Schedule.
10 August: Athletics Finals and Other Key Events
This is one of the busiest days for finals in athletics and other popular sports, rawing large viewership.
11 August: Closing Ceremony
The Olympics conclude with the Closing Ceremony at the Stade de France, which celebrates the athletes’ achievements and passes the torch to the next host city.
Broadcasting the 2024 Olympics by country
For those interested in supporting their home countries or watching particular sports, using a VPN can help. By connecting to a server in your country of choice, you can stream the national broadcaster, which is often free. Setting up one is simple, and it works with TVs, computers, phones, tablets and streaming boxes. Plus, you can access streaming services such as US Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and more.
To watch the Olympics coverage from your home country, follow these simple steps:
- Get a trusted VPN.
- Connect to a secure server location in your preferred country.
- Sign up for or log in to your preferred streaming platform.
- Enjoy the Olympics!
To stream the Paris Olympics 2024 in English, try tuning into BBC and ITV in the UK or RTE Player in Ireland.
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