Several judo athletes have already arrived in France for the Olympic Games, including the refugee team that landed on Monday.
They are among the first of many competitors and delegations who will be gradually arriving over the next few days. All are set to train intensely in Paris, aiming for peak performances from July 27th to August 3rd.
This weekend also marked the arrival of the Olympic flame in Paris, which has been weaving through the city streets, sparking widespread enthusiasm. This fervor is eagerly anticipated to transition into the stands of the Arena Champ-de-Mars, the venue for the judo events.
Highlighting the significance of the occasion, on Tuesday, celebrated judoka Clarisse Agbegnenou carried the flame up the Eiffel Tower, joining the ranks of former judo torchbearers like double Olympic champion David Douillet, 1980 Olympic champion Angelo Parisi, and Romane Dicko, who is chasing her first Olympic gold.
The choice of France as the host nation underscores its deep ties to judo, following other significant judo nations like Great Britain in 2012, Brazil with its large judo community, and Japan— the birthplace of judo by Jigoro Kano in 1882. France offers a robust platform for the sport’s further growth and showcases on the international stage.
Stay tuned for updates and profiles of the judo competitors at the 2024 Olympic Games.