Paris 2024 Under Way
by Philip Barker at the Parc de Princes, Paris
Paris 2024 has begun. Spain beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in men’s football at the Parc des Princes,
The first goal came shortly before the half hour by Marc Pubill.
The Uzbeks levelled before half time with a penalty, given after consulting VAR (video assistant referee). It was converted by Eldor Shomurodov.
Sergio Gomez had his second half penalty saved but redeemed himself with a goal only three minutes later.
The senior Spanish team won Euro 2024 at the beginning of the month in Berlin. A gold medal here would emulate France who won both competitions 40 years ago.
Elsewhere in Olympic Football host nation France defeated the United States 3-0 in their opening match.
That football should be the first sport was appropriate, 100 years ago Uruguay took the competition by storm.
The full story can be found in the first Journal of Olympic History for 2024, related by Uruguay Pierre de Coubertin Committee President Héctor Horacio Henry.
In those days the Olympic football tournament could be described as a defacto World Championship.
In 1928 Uruguay won again and their double victory was the catalyst for the establishment of the FIFA World Cup.
Men’s Olympic football never held quite the same status ever again.
Uruguay did not qualify for the 2024 tournament. They were eliminated in the continental qualifiers.
Football is not the only sport with fixtures before the Opening Ceremony in Paris.
Basketball preliminaries take place in Lille at the Pierre Mauroy stadium before it switches to host the final stages of handball.
In recent years archery’s ranking round has also taken place before the official opening.
Handball also starts before the Flame is lit on Friday night.
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