The eyes of the world will be on Paris this afternoon, when the boats carrying the Olympic athletes begin to parade down the River Seine to the foot of the Eiffel Tower, in a spectacular opening ceremony which, for the first time, will not take place in a stadium.

The city of light keeps most of the details of the grand opening party, The parade will begin at 7.30pm (17.30 GMT) and will run along the six kilometres between the Austerlitz and Jena bridges, right between the Trocadero Gardens and the Eiffel Tower.

A total of 43 athletes Basques will compete in the Games Paris Olympicswhich begin this Friday, July 26, and will end on August 11. Of the 43, 22 are women, and this is one of the highest number of Basque participants since Atlanta 1996. This number will be joined by another dozen participants in the Paralympic Games that will take place from August 28 to September 8.

However, this year’s figure far exceeds the 24 participants of Beijing 2008the 25th of London 2012the 26th of Rio de Janeiro 2016 and the aforementioned of 20 of Tokyo 2021.

Paris 2024 will be the third highest Basque Olympic representation in the Modern Era (1896-2024), only surpassed at the Games Barcelona 1992with 44 participants, and at the Olympic Games Atlanta 1996with 38 participants.

Regarding the participation of women, in the case of the Basque Country it remains high and is increasing compared to Tokyo 2021. In the Games postponed due to the pandemic, 12 of the 20 participants were men and 8 women (40%).

Paris 2024 will be the first Games in history to feature complete equality in terms of athletes. The Basque Country will improve on this figure, as of the 43 participants, 22 will be women and 21 men. There will be athletes in 16 different sports.

1. Alain Kortabitarte (skateboarding)

2. Alex Aranburu (road cycling)

3. Andy Criere (surfing)

4. Begoña Lazcano (canoeing in calm waters)

5. Beñat Turrientes (football)

6. Bibiane Schulze (football)

7. Dario Brizuela (basketball)

8. Elene Lete (reserve) (football)

9. Esther Briz (rowing)

10. Gracia Alonso (3×3 basketball)

11. Imanol Garciandia (handball)

12. Irene Paredes (football)

13. Janire Gonzalez-Etxabarri (surfing)

14. John Cabang (athletics-hurdles)

15. Jon Rahm (golf)

16. José ‘Chefo’ Basterra (field hockey)

17. Kauldi Odriozola (handball)

18. Lucia Garcia (football)

19. Maialen Chourraut (whitewater canoeing)

20. Maitane Etxeberria (handball)

21. Majida Maayouf (athletics-marathon)

22. Miren Lazkano (whitewater canoeing)

23. Nadia Erostarbe (surfing)

24. Naia Laso (skateboarding)

25. Oier Ibarretxe (boxing)

26. Oier Lazkano (road cycling)

27. Oihane Hernandez (football)

28. Pau Echaniz (whitewater canoeing)

29. Rafa Vilallonga (field hockey)

30. Salma Solaun (gymnastics)

31. Tessy Ebosele (athletics-long jump)

32. Virginia Diaz (rowing)

33. Xabier Lopez de Arostegi (basketball)

34. Aimar Oroz (football)

35. Alberto Munarriz (water polo)

36. Ariane Toro (judo)

37. Asier Martinez (athletics-hurdles)

38. Carlota Ciganda (golf)

39. Jon Pacheco (football)

40. Lysa Tchaptchet (handball)

41. Sergey Hernandez (reserve) (handball)

42. Hortense Limouzin (3×3 basketball)

43. Joan Duru (surfing)

Source: Eitb

Kingston

Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.