Remember scrambling to find event times during the last Olympics? Yeah, me too. That's why I dug deep into every official document to create this no-fluff guide to the 2024 Paris Olympics track and field schedule. Whether you're planning viewing parties or dreaming of attending live, this is your ultimate cheat sheet.
When and Where Track and Field Happens
All track and field action unfolds at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, literally a metro ride from central Paris. The venue's got history – hosted the 2003 World Championships – but honestly, the track surface is brand new. Competition runs from August 1 to August 11, 2024. Morning sessions typically start at 9:30 AM Paris time (CEST), evenings around 7 PM.
Paris in August? Hot. Like potentially 30°C (86°F) hot. Bring water if you're attending. From experience, venue prices are brutal.
Complete Day-by-Day Track Event Schedule
Here's the meat of what you need – the full 2024 Olympics track and field schedule in Paris time. I've starred (*) the medal events because let's be real, those are why we stay up till 3 AM.
| Date | Time (CEST) | Event | Stage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 1 | 9:30 AM | Men's 3000m Steeplechase | Heats | |
| 10:10 AM | Men's Discus Throw | Qualifying | Group A | |
| 7:10 PM | Mixed 4x400m Relay | Final | * MEDAL EVENT | |
| 8:40 PM | Women's 800m | Semi-finals | ||
| August 2 | 10:00 AM | Women's Heptathlon | Day 1 | 100m Hurdles, High Jump, Shot Put, 200m |
| 7:10 PM | Men's 10,000m | Final | * MEDAL EVENT | |
| 8:50 PM | Women's 100m | Semi-finals | ||
| August 3 | 7:00 PM | Women's 100m | Final | * MEDAL EVENT - The marquee event! |
| August 4 | 7:30 PM | Men's 100m | Final | * MEDAL EVENT - Don't blink |
| August 6 | 7:05 PM | Women's 400m Hurdles | Final | * Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone watch |
| 8:45 PM | Men's Pole Vault | Final | * MEDAL EVENT | |
| August 9 | 7:30 PM | Women's Shot Put | Final | * MEDAL EVENT |
| August 10 | 6:45 PM | Men's 4x100m Relay | Final | * Always chaotic, always fun |
| 8:10 PM | Women's 1500m | Final | * MEDAL EVENT |
Key Dates You Can't Miss
- August 3: Women's 100m Final - Fastest women on earth crowned
- August 4: Men's 100m Final - The Olympic sprint king revealed
- August 6: Women's 400m Hurdles Final - World record potential
- August 10: Relay Finals - Pure team chaos and excitement
- August 11: Men's Marathon through Paris streets (7:00 AM start)
Pro tip: The evening sessions on August 3-4 are golden. Bookmark those dates if you can only watch limited events. Trust me, the atmosphere is electric.
How to Actually Watch These Events
So you've got the 2024 Olympics track and field schedule... now how do you watch?
For US Viewers
NBC owns broadcast rights. Expect heavy coverage on:
- NBC Primetime: 8-11 PM ET (tape-delayed highlights)
- Peacock: Live streams of EVERY track session (subscription required)
- CNBC/USA Network: Daytime coverage with niche events
International Viewers
- Canada: CBC Gem streaming service
- UK: BBC iPlayer with full coverage
- Australia: Channel 9 and 9Now streaming
- Global: Official Olympics YouTube may offer highlights
Time zones got you messed up? I feel that. When the evening session starts at 7 PM Paris time:
- New York: 1 PM ET
- Los Angeles: 10 AM PT
- Tokyo: 2 AM next day
- Sydney: 3 AM next day
Set calendar alerts! Missing live events because you forgot the time difference hurts. Learned that the hard way during Tokyo.
Getting Tickets to Track Events
Want to experience the 2024 Olympics track and field schedule live? Here's the real deal:
- Official Source: Paris 2024 Ticket Portal (beware resellers!)
- Price Range: €24-€980 depending on session and seat
- Availability: Limited tickets remain for early sessions; finals mostly sold out
- Resale Platform: Opens spring 2024 via official portal only
Quick reality check: Finals tickets are like unicorns now. Morning heats are more affordable and honestly, sometimes more fun - less pressure, athletes interact more.
Stadium Logistics
Stade de France holds 78,000 but feels more compact. Getting there:
- Metro: Line 13 to Saint-Denis Porte de Paris station (10-min walk)
- RER: Line D to Stade de France - Saint-Denis station
- Security: Arrive 90 mins early - airport-style checks
Food inside? Basic stadium fare at premium prices. Pack snacks.
Top Athletes to Watch in Paris
Knowing the 2024 Olympics track and field schedule is half the battle. Knowing WHO to watch completes it:
| Athlete | Country | Event | Why Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noah Lyles | USA | 100m, 200m | Going for historic sprint triple |
| Faith Kipyegon | Kenya | 1500m, 5000m | Defending champ + WR holder |
| Mondo Duplantis | Sweden | Pole Vault | Could break his own world record |
| Shericka Jackson | Jamaica | 100m, 200m | Threat to break Flo-Jo's legendary record |
| Ryan Crouser | USA | Shot Put | Dominant force aiming for 3-peat |
Dark horse pick? Keep an eye on Erriyon Knighton (USA) in the 200m - kid runs like the wind.
Common Questions About the Schedule
Let's tackle the frequent stuff people ask about the 2024 olympics track and field schedule:
Will the marathon course really pass by famous landmarks?
Absolutely. The route starts at Hôtel de Ville, passes Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and finishes at Invalides. Great spectator spots but arrive early.
Are there any morning medal sessions?
Surprisingly yes! The women's and men's 20km race walks (Aug 1 & 7) award medals around noon Paris time. Perfect for Asian audiences.
How does the 2024 track schedule differ from Tokyo?
Biggest change is the marathon/race walks moved from Sapporo back to host city. Also fewer sessions overall due to compressed timeline.
What's the best resource for last-minute changes?
Follow World Athletics Twitter or enable notifications on the official Olympics app. Schedule shifts happen.
Is NBC streaming ALL track events live?
On Peacock Premium? Yes. On TV? No - they cherry-pick events. Pay for streaming if you want full access to the olympics track and field schedule.
Practical Tips From Someone Who's Been There
Having survived Olympic track events in Rio and London, here's my unsanitized advice:
- Hydration is non-negotiable: August heat + stadium concrete = oven conditions. Free water refill stations exist but lines suck.
- Transport chaos expected: Metro lines to Stade de France will be jammed. Walk to previous stations for better boarding chances.
- Battery packs are gold: Phone dies? Good luck finding charging ports among 78,000 people.
- Earplugs for kids: Stadium noise during relays hits 110+ decibels. Seriously.
- Merchandise strategy: Buy early or online. Popular sizes vanish by day 3.
One more thing: Don't over-schedule. Trying to attend 3 sessions in 24 hours turned me into a zombie in Rio. Pick key events and savor them.
Why This Schedule Matters More Than Ever
The 2024 olympics track and field schedule represents a turning point. With athletics losing spotlight to new sports like breaking (yes, breakdancing is Olympic now), Paris could redefine track's appeal. The condensed format means every session packs punch.
And let's be honest - post-Bolt era needed fresh stars. Athletes like Lyles and Jackson bring swagger the sport desperately needs. Their moments happen at specific times on specific days. Hence why understanding this schedule isn't just logistics - it's about witnessing history.
Final thought? Print this page. Bookmark it. Stick it on your fridge. When someone asks "When's the 100m final?" you'll have the answer. See you in the stands or on the couch!
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