2024 Olympics in Paris — what African fans should know

Paris 2024 runs from July 26 to August 11, 2024. The Games will feel different — the opening ceremony moves along the Seine and many events use iconic city venues. If you want to follow medal action, schedules, or African athletes, this page gives the practical details you need.

Key dates, sports and what to watch

The Olympic program includes the core sports you expect: athletics, swimming, boxing, football (men’s U‑23 and women’s full teams), weightlifting and team sports like basketball and rugby sevens. Paris will host around 32 sports and roughly 300+ medal events across the two weeks. Watch athletics and boxing for big African medal chances — long and middle distance running still brings most track medals, while boxing and wrestling remain strong medal opportunities for several nations.

Want the headline moments? The marathon and the 10,000m are always must-see for African fans. Rugby sevens and football bring national pride and fast action. Track the daily schedule on the official Olympic app or website so you don’t miss finals.

How to watch from Africa — quick tips

Rights vary by country, so first check your local sports broadcasters. In many parts of Sub‑Saharan Africa, pay TV providers carry Olympic coverage; the Olympic Channel and official broadcasters stream highlights and live events online. If you use DStv or similar platforms, look for dedicated Olympic channels or sports channels carrying live sessions.

Time zones matter. Paris runs on Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) during the Games. South Africa shares that time, so events will air in local time there. West Africa is usually one hour behind Paris, so check start times before you plan your day. Use the Olympics app to convert event times to your phone’s timezone automatically.

If you can’t watch live, follow live results and short highlights on the Olympic website, social media channels, and sports news apps. For fast updates, follow federations and athlete accounts on Twitter/X and Instagram — they post lineups, heat results, and medal moments as they happen.

Planning to attend? Buy tickets only from the official Paris 2024 site or accredited resellers. Expect transport and security checks, and plan extra time for travel between venues. For fans staying home, organize watch parties around finals — the evening session often has the most medals and drama.

Want deeper coverage focused on African athletes? Bookmark this tag page and check back during the Games for daily recaps, medal updates, and profiles of the continent’s best performers. Follow local sports pages for national team news and qualification stories as events progress.

If you have questions about where to watch in a specific country or want tips on following a particular athlete, tell us your country and sport — we’ll point you to the best local options.