Olympic Cartography: Mapping the Global Journey of the Games

Détail globe 36 cm Humboldt

Paris: A Three-Time Host

Paris 2024 will mark the third time the City of Light has hosted the Summer Olympics, following 1900 and 1924. This puts Paris in an elite club with London as the only cities to host three Summer Games. On your globe, you can trace the century-long Olympic journey of Paris, reflecting the city's enduring global significance.

Olympic Cities: A Global Tour

If we were to connect all Summer Olympic host cities on a globe, we'd create a fascinating web that spans continents:

1. Europe: From Athens (1896, 2004) to London (1908, 1948, 2012), Europe has been home to numerous Olympics.
2. North America: From St. Louis (1904) to Los Angeles (1932, 1984, 2028), the Games have crossed the Atlantic multiple times.
3. Asia: Tokyo (1964, 2021) became the first Asian city to host, followed by Seoul (1988) and Beijing (2008).
4. Oceania: Melbourne (1956) and Sydney (2000) have brought the Olympics to the Southern Hemisphere.
5. South America: Rio de Janeiro (2016) became the first South American host.

This global distribution showcases the international nature of the Olympics, at one notable exception : When will the Olympics games be hosted in Africa ?
Maybe in South Africa, Egypt or Morroco ?

Geographical Trivia

1. Antwerp 1920: The Olympic flag with its five rings (representing the five inhabited continents) was first flown here.
2. Melbourne 1956: The first Olympics in the Southern Hemisphere, challenging the traditional European/North American axis.
3. Mexico City 1968: The highest-altitude Olympics, at 2,240 meters above sea level.
4. Beijing 2022: The first city to host both Summer and Winter Olympics.

Paris 2024: A Cartographer's Delight

The Paris 2024 Olympics will feature events spread across the Île-de-France region, offering a unique opportunity to explore the geography of Paris and its surroundings. From the iconic Eiffel Tower (beach volleyball) to the Palace of Versailles (equestrian events), the Games will showcase both the city's historic landmarks and its modern infrastructure. And let's not forget sailing and football in Marseille and also the surf competition in Tahiti. Can you find them all in this superb poster map designed by the artist Ugo Gattoni

The Olympic Games offer a unique lens through which to view our world. They connect cities across continents, highlight geographical diversity, and showcase how sport can unite our global community. As we look forward to Paris 2024, let's appreciate the rich tapestry of Olympic host cities spread across our globes, each representing a moment when the world came together in the spirit of athletic competition.

Credit : Affiche Jeux olympique Paris 2024 - Ugo Gattoni