The Real Score: Paris 2024 Olympic Games and Its Implications for LA28
As the world anticipates the return of the Summer Olympics to the United States, with the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Games, reflections on the recent Paris 2024 Olympic Games reveal a significant milestone in global sports. This noteworthy event, held in Paris, garnered considerable acclaim for its successful execution, showcasing a captivating blend of sport and culture.
The Paris Games not only served as a grand spectacle of athletic prowess but also demonstrated the remarkable capabilities of sports management, with numerous organizations contributing to its remarkable organization. The event unfolded over three weeks, providing a captivating and immersive experience while offering a unique visual presentation of the Olympic spirit across Paris.
A focal point of this discussion is the outstanding performance of NBC Universal, which managed to capture and distribute the Olympic experience magnificently. According to Front Office Sports, the coverage for the 2024 Summer Olympics attained historic ratings, averaging 30.6 million viewers in the United States, signifying an impressive 82% increase compared to the previously held Tokyo Games in 2021—a year affected heavily by the COVID-19 pandemic. This upswing marks the highest average viewership since the 2012 Olympic Games. The picturesque backdrop of Paris, combined with innovative coverage strategies, contributed significantly to these results. Notably, NBC’s proactive approach in marketing the event well ahead of time, along with the involvement of various celebrities in the promotional efforts, notably enhanced viewer engagement.
Furthermore, NBC’s introduction of the “Gold Zone” show on Peacock allowed audiences to enjoy critical moments across various sports, reminiscent of the NFL’s “RedZone” concept. This initiative clearly aims to cater to a younger demographic that increasingly transitions between traditional viewing and social media platforms for content consumption. Such strategies raise pertinent questions about the sustainability of streaming services in retaining subscribers drawn in by live sporting events, as the Olympic buzz continues to shape audience preferences.
Emerging sports such as breakdancing, referred to as “breaking,” and kayak cross made their debut in the Paris Games, prompting varied reactions. It remains uncertain how these new disciplines will evolve in future Olympic competitions; however, upcoming events in Los Angeles promise to introduce even more new sports such as baseball-softball and lacrosse sixes. The ongoing endeavors to secure grassroots engagement for these sports aim to foster youth participation and resource sustainability.
The selection of iconic venues played a crucial role in enhancing the Olympic experience. The stunning context—highlighted by beach volleyball beneath the Eiffel Tower, as well as tennis at Roland Garros—emphasized the intrinsic value of thematic location in Olympic presentation. The anticipated LA28 Games will similarly pivot towards a variety of existing venues in Los Angeles, ensuring that the local community’s financial commitments towards venue construction remain reasonable.
In conclusion, the 2024 Paris Olympic Games have set high standards not only for their sporting excellence but also for their engaging presentation and broad appeal across disciplines and demographics. Each Olympics brings unique narratives and experiences that resonate differently with diverse audiences. The McCormack Department of Sport Management, committed to moulding competent professionals in this field, continues to empower students, preparing them for the intricacies of such iconic events within the Olympic Movement.
As the Olympics move forward to Los Angeles, there is an opportunity to build on the successes of Paris while also addressing the challenges and demands of future competitions.
Will Norton
Senior Lecturer, Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management, UMass
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