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The Paris 2024 Olympics have come to a close, and martial arts fans around the world were captivated by some truly incredible performances across every discipline.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of Paris, the venues that hosted these combat sports carry a rich history of their own. Whether it was judo or boxing, these iconic Paris Olympic martial arts venues delivered unforgettable moments that made the games even more special.
But where exactly were these martial arts events held? Well look into the venues that hosted them, explore their history, and maybe even inspire you to plan a visit!
Paris Olympic Martial Arts Venues Breakdown
The 2024 Games featured 4 martial arts disciplines. The Paris Olympic martial arts venues took place in some of the city's most prestigious arenas. Here’s a breakdown of each event:
Judo Venue Paris Olympic Games
The Judo events at the 2024 Paris Olympics showcased incredible talent, with France’s own Clarisse Agbégnénou winning gold in the women’s -63kg, and Teddy Riner dominating in the men’s +100kg category.
So, where was Judo held during the Olympic Games? The Grand Palais was the stage, and we'll explore its history below!
Taekwondo Venue Paris Olympic Games
Like judo, Taekwondo will also be hosted at the Grand Palais, making it a hub for martial arts lovers.
In the taekwondo events, South Korea’s Park Taejoon took home the gold in the men's -58kg category, defeating Azerbaijan’s Gashim Magomedov. Meanwhile, in the women’s +67kg division, France’s Althea Laurin delighted the home crowd by winning gold over Uzbekistan’s Svetlana Osipova. These are just a few of the standout moments from an unforgettable competition!
Boxing Venue Paris Olympic Games
Boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics took place across two major venues. The preliminary rounds were held at the North Paris Arena, while the finals took centre stage at the iconic Roland-Garros Stadium, usually famous for its tennis tournaments.
Running from July 27 to August 10, the competition brought thrilling action across various weight categories. Uzbekistan shined, with Bakhodir Jalolov successfully defending his super heavyweight title, and Hasanboy Dusmatov claiming gold in the men's flyweight division.
Wrestling Venue Paris Olympic Games
Wrestling at the 2024 Olympics took place at the Grand Palais Éphémère, where Japan solidified its status as a wrestling powerhouse by winning eight gold medals out of the 18 events. Standout victories included Rei Higuchi in the men's freestyle 57kg and Yuka Kagami in the women's freestyle 76kg.
The United States also had success, earning two gold medals, including a win by Amit Elor in the women's freestyle 68kg. Meanwhile, Cuba's Mijaín López made history by winning his fifth consecutive Olympic gold in Greco-Roman wrestling, capping off an incredible career with his retirement.
Here are the key reasons Taekwondo, Judo, and Wrestling are held in the same arena at the Paris 2024 Olympics:
Shared equipment and space needs streamline venue setup.
Efficient scheduling allows for smooth transitions between events.
Cost-effective approach by reducing the number of venues required.
Spectator convenience for viewing multiple martial arts in one place.
Easy floor changes enable rapid adaptations for different sports.
Curious about the boots worn at the 2024 Olympic Games? Check out our latest blog post for all the details!
The History of These Iconic Venues
Grand Palais
The Grand Palais, a true architectural gem built in 1900, is famous not just for its incredible design but also for its deep cultural roots. Its iconic glass roof beautifully merges classical and modern elements, making it a sight to behold.
Over the years, this stunning venue has seen it all—from glamorous Chanel fashion shows during Paris Fashion Week to hosting renowned art events like FIAC.
And in 2024, the Grand Palais added another exciting chapter to its history by hosting fencing and taekwondo events for the very first time during the Games.
North Paris Arena
The North Paris Arena, with its 6,000-seat capacity, has long been a go-to spot for major international sports events.
During the Olympics, it provided an up-close and personal atmosphere for boxing preliminaries and competitions like fencing in the modern pentathlon.
Just a short distance from Paris, the arena demonstrated its versatility, having previously been home to large exhibitions and trade fairs, proving it’s much more than just a sports venue.
Mats and Surfaces for Olympic Judo, Wrestling, and Taekwondo Events
The Grand Palais is a showstopper at the Paris Olympics, famous for hosting major international events. But have you ever thought about the type of flooring they use at the 2024 Olympics, and how they manage to switch it up for different events?
Logos on the mats and other products are carefully prepared well in advance of the games, with extras always on hand just in case. This way, everything looks flawless, and they’re ready for anything that comes their way!
For sports like Judo, Wrestling, and Taekwondo, the floors may look similar, but each has its own specialised surface.
Judo uses tatami mats, which are designed to absorb the impact of throws and keep athletes safe.
Wrestling features a soft, smooth mat that reduces friction while protecting athletes during grappling.
Taekwondo takes place on non-slip, foam-based mats, providing both stability for balance and cushioning for falls. Although all these surfaces focus on athlete protection, the materials are uniquely crafted to meet the specific needs of each sport.
