Paris 2024 Olympic Sports: New and Returning Events
New and returning sports, the gold medallists and what comes next
The Fresh Faces of Paris 2024
The Paris Olympics in July and August 2024 brought a fresh mix of sports. Some events were brand new. Others were returning after a strong first showing in Tokyo.
We first wrote this page before the Games began. We have now updated it with what happened. We have also corrected one point. Skateboarding, surfing and 3×3 basketball were not Olympic debuts in Paris. They first appeared in Tokyo 2020. The true debuts were breaking and kayak cross.
New and Returning Sports at a Glance
| Sport | Status in Paris |
|---|---|
| Breaking | Olympic debut |
| Kayak cross | Olympic debut (new canoe slalom event) |
| Skateboarding | Second Games |
| Surfing | Second Games |
| 3×3 basketball | Second Games |
| Sport climbing | Second Games, new format |
Skateboarding
Skateboarding returned from its Tokyo debut. The programme had four events: men’s and women’s street, and men’s and women’s park. The events took place at Place de la Concorde in central Paris.
Skaters showed their tricks on rails, stairs and ramps. Judges score precision, balance and style. The winners were:
- Men’s street: Yuto Horigome of Japan.
- Women’s street: Coco Yoshizawa of Japan.
- Men’s park: Keegan Palmer of Australia.
- Women’s park: Arisa Trew of Australia.
If you follow the sport, watch how skateboarding fans talk about the judging. Style is subjective, so scores can spark debate.
Surfing
Surfing did not take place in Paris. The waves were too far away. The contest ran at Teahupo’o in Tahiti, French Polynesia. It is a famous reef break, known for heavy, powerful waves.
Surfing at the Olympics blends sport with nature. Athletes battle the ocean as much as each other. The conditions can change from heat to heat.
- Men’s winner: Kauli Vaast of France.
- Women’s winner: Caroline Marks of the United States.
3×3 Basketball
This is a faster, tighter version of the traditional game. 3×3 basketball features three players on each team and one half-court. The pace is quick, and scores come fast.
The finals took place on 5 August. Both gold medals went to European teams:
- Men’s winner: the Netherlands.
- Women’s winner: Germany.
Canoe Kayak and Kayak Cross
Canoe Kayak tests speed and precision in unpredictable water. Paddlers steer through gates, around rocks and over waves.
Paris added a new event called kayak cross. Four athletes race down the course at the same time. They are not racing against the clock. They race each other, which means contact and quick changes of fortune.
- Men’s winner: Finn Butcher of New Zealand.
- Women’s winner: Noemie Fox of Australia.
Breaking: The True Debut
Breaking, also known as breakdancing, made its Olympic debut. Sixteen men and sixteen women took part. They competed in one-on-one battles, and judges scored them on six criteria.
- B-boys: Phil Wizard of Canada won gold.
- B-girls: Ami Yuasa of Japan won gold.
Breaking will not return at the next Games. It is not on the programme for Los Angeles 2028.
Sport Climbing
Climbing returned with a new format. Speed climbing became its own event. Boulder and lead were combined into a second event. The number of climbers rose from 40 to 68.
| Event | Gold medallist |
|---|---|
| Men’s speed | Veddriq Leonardo, Indonesia |
| Women’s speed | Aleksandra Miroslaw, Poland |
| Men’s boulder and lead | Toby Roberts, Great Britain |
| Women’s boulder and lead | Janja Garnbret, Slovenia |
Gold Medal Summary
Here is a quick look at the champions from the new and returning sports.
| Sport | Men’s gold | Women’s gold |
|---|---|---|
| Skateboarding (street) | Yuto Horigome, Japan | Coco Yoshizawa, Japan |
| Skateboarding (park) | Keegan Palmer, Australia | Arisa Trew, Australia |
| Surfing | Kauli Vaast, France | Caroline Marks, USA |
| 3×3 basketball | Netherlands | Germany |
| Kayak cross | Finn Butcher, New Zealand | Noemie Fox, Australia |
| Breaking | Phil Wizard, Canada | Ami Yuasa, Japan |
Japan and Australia stood out in the skateboarding events. Between them, they took all four golds. Japan also won the women’s breaking title.
Other Changes to the Programme
Paris made several smaller changes as well. They affected sports that fans already knew well.
- Men competed in artistic swimming for the first time.
- Boxing added a women’s weight class and dropped a men’s class.
- Sailing added kite events.
- Shooting swapped mixed trap for a mixed skeet team event.
- A mixed marathon race walk relay replaced the men’s 50km race walk.
- Weightlifting cut its weight classes from 14 to 10.
Why These Sports Matter
The newer sports share a theme. They reach younger fans who may not follow traditional Olympic events. Skateboarding, surfing, climbing and breaking all grew from street and outdoor culture. They bring different music, fashion and personalities to the Games.
That is a big reason the Olympic programme keeps changing. Organisers want to keep the Games fresh. Fans get something new to follow every four years.
- Short formats. 3×3 basketball and kayak cross are quick to watch and easy to follow.
- Judged sports. Skateboarding and breaking rely on scores from judges. That adds drama and debate.
- Weather and place. Surfing depends on the ocean, so every heat feels different.
How to Follow a New Sport
If a sport is new to you, a few simple steps help.
- Learn the format. Find out how many athletes compete and how the winner is chosen.
- Watch a short highlights clip before you watch a full event.
- Check how scoring works, especially in judged sports.
- Follow the sport’s main athletes for a few weeks before a major event.
Understanding the format makes any event more fun. It also helps you read the odds if you choose to bet.
What Comes Next: Los Angeles 2028
The next Games will be in Los Angeles in 2028. Skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing have moved from optional to permanent status. Breaking has been dropped.
New or returning sports include flag football, squash, cricket, lacrosse, baseball and softball. Each of these will bring fresh betting markets and new fans to follow.
Betting on the Olympics
Many South African fans follow the Olympics closely. Sports betting adds extra interest for some. Betting is for adults aged 18 and over, and it should always stay within a budget you can afford.
If you are new to betting, our guide on how online sports betting works explains the basics. You can also read the main rules of sports betting before you place a bet.
In South Africa, online sports betting operators hold provincial licences. Choose a licensed operator. Our page on South African sportsbooks lists licensed options. Our Easybet review covers one of them in detail.
Final Thoughts
Paris 2024 widened the Olympic programme in a way that reflects global sports culture. Street skills, ocean waves and fast team formats now sit beside track and field.
The inclusion of the new sports in the Paris Olympics 2024 programme gave fans plenty to talk about. If you enjoy a flutter on the next major event, you can try a South African sportsbook like Easybet.
The Games also showed how quickly the Olympic programme can change. A sport that is new today can be gone four years later, as breaking shows. Sports that prove popular, such as skateboarding, surfing and climbing, can earn a permanent place.
For full results and news on the sports in this article, check the official Olympics website and other trusted sports news sources.
Paris 2024 Olympic Sports FAQs
Which sports debuted at the Paris 2024 Olympics?
Breaking made its Olympic debut. Kayak cross also debuted, as a new event within canoe slalom.
Were skateboarding and surfing new in Paris?
No. Both made their debut at Tokyo 2020 and returned in Paris.
Where was the surfing held?
Surfing took place at Teahupo’o in Tahiti, French Polynesia, not in Paris.
Who won the surfing gold medals?
Kauli Vaast of France won the men’s event. Caroline Marks of the United States won the women’s.
Who won the 3×3 basketball gold medals?
The Netherlands won the men’s event. Germany won the women’s.
Who won the skateboarding gold medals?
Yuto Horigome and Coco Yoshizawa of Japan won street. Keegan Palmer and Arisa Trew of Australia won park.
Who won the first Olympic breaking titles?
Phil Wizard of Canada won the B-boys event. Ami Yuasa of Japan won the B-girls event.
What is kayak cross?
Kayak cross is a new canoe slalom event. Four athletes race down the course together instead of racing the clock.
How many gold medals were awarded in Paris?
A total of 329 golds were awarded across 32 sports.
Will breaking be in the 2028 Olympics?
No. Breaking is not on the Los Angeles 2028 programme.
Which sports are new for Los Angeles 2028?
Flag football and squash are debuts. Cricket, baseball, softball and lacrosse also return or join the programme.
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