Preparations are in full swing in Paris, just over a fortnight before the opening of the 2024 Olympic Games.

Paris 2024 organisers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have both strongly denied any rumours that the Games will be postponed or cancelled due to the political situation in France, which faces a hung parliament with no party winning enough seats for a majority in the July 7 elections.

In a statement, Paris 2024 said it had “become aware of false information circulating about the cancellation of the Paris Games.” It added that “Paris 2024 denies this information and calls for it not to be disseminated,” adding that it “will investigate the source of this false information.”

The IOC also strongly denied these rumours, saying: “They have absolutely no factual basis. The IOC President and the entire Olympic movement look forward to an excellent Olympic Games Paris 2024, starting with the Opening Ceremony on 26 July.”

Last weekend was a significant moment for many in the lead-up to and preparation for the Games, ahead of the final deadline for Olympic entries which fell on H&H went to press (July 8).

Among them, Britain’s reigning dressage world champions Lottie Fry and Glamourdale completed a double in the CDI4* Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special in Aachen, in what Lottie described as “the best feeling I could have wished for before Paris”.

The British showjumping team finished third in the Aachen Nations Cup, with a team including Olympic pair Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson jumping twice clear; British showjumping performance manager Di Lampard said “the team is really coming together”.

Ireland’s Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue dominated the Olympic advance section in Aston-le-Walls, with Team GB members Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo finishing fourth with a consistent double clear round.

Reigning Olympic eventing champion Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21 have been promoted to the German side’s alternate spot ahead of Paris, thanks to their winning performance in Aachen.

H&H I also spoke to the British bikers heading to Paris last week, for their latest updates as they continue their preparations.

“It looks like we’re on the verge of being a really good team,” Carl Hester said. H&H. “Fame and Imhotep have improved with each competition and we could see at the CDI in Wellington that they were getting back to the level we had at the European Championships last year, which was important.

“There are still a few adjustments to be made and we have planned to go to Hartpury for a mock competition 10 days before we go to Paris, just to make sure we have everything fine-tuned.”

Laura Collett has confirmed that her three-time five-star winner and Tokyo Olympic team gold medallist London 52 is back at work and “feeling good” after the minor injury that led to his withdrawal before showjumping at the Luhmühlen CCI4*-S last month.

“Touch wood, he’s fine; it took a few days for the injury to heal and he’s been fine since then,” Laura said. H&H“He’s feeling really good, so fingers crossed we have enough vet bandages, bubble wrap and cotton wool for the next few weeks before the Games.

“It was very annoying for him to have this injury, but we understood right away what it was: it was something very minor, but it hurt him. For me, the most important thing, it’s always the most important thing, is that he comes out of it fundamentally well, not to go and jump on a show jumping track. It was very frustrating, but the most important thing is that he’s fine.”

When the British teams were announced (news, July 4), British Equestrian Team Leader Helen Nicolls said she was “exceptionally proud” of the combinations and connections selected.

“The hours of preparation, the enormous sacrifices and the total dedication will now be put to the test. The teams behind the athletes – equine and human – have spared no effort to support them in their best performances,” she said.

One of the goals of Paris 2024 was to be the “greenest” Games in history, with a carbon emissions target half that of London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

The latest update from the organisers, dated 27 June, states that the current estimated carbon footprint is “still below” the target at this stage.

“Six years ago, Paris 2024 set itself an ambitious goal of reducing the carbon footprint of the Games,” said Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet.

“We are proud to strengthen our commitment to the climate by supporting CO2 avoidance and capture projects in France and in the regions of the world most impacted by the effects of climate change.”

In anticipation of the Paralympic Games (August 28 to September 8), more than a million tickets have already been sold.

You may also be interested in:

Horse & Hound magazine, published every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and features, as well as interviews, special features, nostalgia, veterinary and training advice. Subscribe today and enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, as well as unlimited access to the website and digital versions of the magazine going back to September 2012.

Senior News Editor at H&H

Lucy is an experienced current affairs journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has covered major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympics and several European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London to name a few. She has covered news and sporting events across the spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and legal matters.

Preparations are in full swing in Paris, just over a fortnight before the opening of the 2024 Olympic Games.

Paris 2024 organisers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have both strongly denied any rumours that the Games will be postponed or cancelled due to the political situation in France, which faces a hung parliament with no party winning enough seats for a majority in the July 7 elections.

In a statement, Paris 2024 said it had “become aware of false information circulating about the cancellation of the Paris Games.” It added that “Paris 2024 denies this information and calls for it not to be disseminated,” adding that it “will investigate the source of this false information.”

The IOC also strongly denied these rumours, saying: “They have absolutely no factual basis. The IOC President and the entire Olympic movement look forward to an excellent Olympic Games Paris 2024, starting with the Opening Ceremony on 26 July.”

Last weekend was a significant moment for many in the lead-up to and preparation for the Games, ahead of the final deadline for Olympic entries which fell on H&H went to press (July 8).

Among them, Britain’s reigning dressage world champions Lottie Fry and Glamourdale completed a double in the CDI4* Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special in Aachen, in what Lottie described as “the best feeling I could have wished for before Paris”.

The British showjumping team finished third in the Aachen Nations Cup, with a team including Olympic pair Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson jumping twice clear; British showjumping performance manager Di Lampard said “the team is really coming together”.

Ireland’s Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue dominated the Olympic advance section in Aston-le-Walls, with Team GB members Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo finishing fourth with a consistent double clear round.

Reigning Olympic eventing champion Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21 have been promoted to the German side’s alternate spot ahead of Paris, thanks to their winning performance in Aachen.

H&H I also spoke to the British bikers heading to Paris last week, for their latest updates as they continue their preparations.

“It looks like we’re on the verge of being a really good team,” Carl Hester said. H&H. “Fame and Imhotep have improved with each competition and we could see at the CDI in Wellington that they were getting back to the level we had at the European Championships last year, which was important.

“There are still a few adjustments to be made and we have planned to go to Hartpury for a mock competition 10 days before we go to Paris, just to make sure we have everything fine-tuned.”

Laura Collett has confirmed that her three-time five-star winner and Tokyo Olympic team gold medallist London 52 is back at work and “feeling good” after the minor injury that led to his withdrawal before showjumping at the Luhmühlen CCI4*-S last month.

“Touch wood, he’s fine; it took a few days for the injury to heal and he’s been fine since then,” Laura said. H&H“He’s feeling really good, so fingers crossed we have enough vet bandages, bubble wrap and cotton wool for the next few weeks before the Games.

“It was very annoying for him to have this injury, but we understood right away what it was: it was something very minor, but it hurt him. For me, the most important thing, it’s always the most important thing, is that he comes out of it fundamentally well, not to go and jump on a show jumping track. It was very frustrating, but the most important thing is that he’s fine.”

When the British teams were announced (news, July 4), British Equestrian Team Leader Helen Nicolls said she was “exceptionally proud” of the combinations and connections selected.

“The hours of preparation, the enormous sacrifices and the total dedication will now be put to the test. The teams behind the athletes – equine and human – have spared no effort to support them in their best performances,” she said.

One of the goals of Paris 2024 was to be the “greenest” Games in history, with a carbon emissions target half that of London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

The latest update from the organisers, dated 27 June, states that the current estimated carbon footprint is “still below” the target at this stage.

“Six years ago, Paris 2024 set itself an ambitious goal of reducing the carbon footprint of the Games,” said Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet.

“We are proud to strengthen our commitment to the climate by supporting carbon avoidance and capture projects in France and in the regions of the world most impacted by the effects of climate change.”

In anticipation of the Paralympic Games (August 28 to September 8), more than a million tickets have already been sold.

You may also be interested in:

Horse & Hound magazine, published every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and features, as well as interviews, special features, nostalgia, veterinary and training advice. Subscribe today and enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, as well as unlimited access to the website and digital versions of the magazine going back to September 2012.

Senior News Editor at H&H

Lucy is an experienced current affairs journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has covered major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympics and several European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London to name a few. She has covered news and sporting events across the spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and legal matters.