With over 4,000 children at Porte de La Chapelle Arena in Paris and 11,500 schools and educational institutions involved, the eighth edition of Olympic and Paralympic week began in Paris aiming to inculcate the importance of healthy diet and exercise in youth.

The eighth edition of Olympic and Paralympic Week was launched on Tuesday at an event organised by Paris 2024. 

According to a press statement by the organisers, the event was held at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena and attended by more than 4,000 children. They were given the chance to learn about and try out various physical activities alongside Typhaine Soldé and Jackson Richardson.

The statement adds that this event aimed to promote the importance of eating more healthily and exercising more from a very young age in order to enjoy lifelong good health.

It was held in partnership with Paris-based food firm Danone, the Ile de France academic region, the Ile de France Regional Olympic and Sports Committee (CROSIF), the French Paralympic and Sports Committee (CPSF), the City of Paris, the sports movement and school and university sports federations. 

“Celebrating the Games and athletes from around the world”: the motto of this eighth and final edition of Olympic and Paralympic Week before the Paris 2024 Games rings out louder than ever as the countdown to an exceptional summer nears its climax,” says Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 President.

The organisers say that this ‘Champions’ Day’ marks the start of a week jam-packed with events all over France designed to teach children about the numerous benefits of daily exercise as well as promote the values of ‘Olympism and Paralympism’ with four months to go until the Games begin.

The statement adds that this year, with 11,500 schools and educational institutions involved, more than 2 million children will be reached and 7,000 projects have been launched. Over 5 million children have participated in Olympic and Paralympic Week, which is now firmly established in the school calendar, since it was first held in 2017.

“Since 2017, Olympic and Paralympic Week has raised awareness among more than 5 million young people with regard to the benefits of sport and other key topics such as disability and inclusion through sport. This year has seen even more projects with a Para sports dimension, 6,200 in all,” Estanguet adds.

“I am very proud to be a patron of this latest Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Week as a Danone athlete because I believe teaching young people about sport and disability is vital. At the launch event, I was able to meet thousands of children and encourage them to exercise more and enjoy a balanced diet to enhance their mental and physical well-being. People’s mindsets and habits must be changed, and for that we need everyone,” says Typhaine Soldé, Paralympic athlete.

The eighth edition of Olympic and Paralympic Week will be the last one held under the Paris 2024 banner, the organisers say. They add that this annual event is, however, set to continue after the Games. Olympic and Paralympic Week, along with the Génération 2024 platform, will be entrusted to the French National Olympic Committee (CNOSF), the French Paralympic and Sports Committee (CPSF) and the Ministries of National Education, Higher Education and Sport.

The statement adds that the other Paris 2024 youth programmes, including “1,2,3 swim!” and Impact 2024 will also continue under the leadership of the National Sports Agency (ANS).

“Danone is delighted and proud to be a partner of Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Week, and to be involved in this fantastic event aimed at thousands of children. It was a great opportunity to raise awareness of the need to eat more healthily and exercise more, with support from Danone athletes,” says Simon Van De Steen, Danone’s Paris 2024 partnership Director.

“We are convinced that good health stems from a balanced diet and remain determined to do everything possible to transform the lives of today’s youngsters, who are the parents of tomorrow, for the better,” he adds.