Paris 2024 Olympics – Complete Guide to the Athletics Schedule
From August 1 to 11, the Stade de France and several iconic Parisian venues like Trocadéro and Les Invalides will host one of the most anticipated athletic showcases in modern Olympic history. With over 10 days of elite performance, every discipline—from marathons to pole vault—demands attention from fans, trainers, and aspiring athletes alike.
Let’s break down the Olympic athletics schedule, day by day, focusing on the most critical events, finals, and moments that will define the Games.
Day 1 – Thursday, August 1
A Historic Kickoff with Race Walk Finals
The athletics program opens with a double-header in race walking. Held outside the stadium setting, the 20km Race Walk Finals take over the streets of Paris in a test of endurance and pace judgment.
Highlights:
- 07:30 – Men’s 20km Race Walk Final
- 09:20 – Women’s 20km Race Walk Final
Both events set the tone for what’s to come: technical discipline, mental stamina, and dramatic finishes.
Day 2 – Friday, August 2
Decathlon Begins, Finals Take Shape
This day balances technical qualifiers and a thrilling final. Expect packed stands as decathletes start their ten-event journey.
Key events include:
- Decathlon 100m, Long Jump, High Jump, and Shot Put
- Women’s 5,000m Round 1
- 21:20 – Men’s 10,000m Final
This will be the first major medal event inside Stade de France, testing endurance under lights.
Day 3 – Saturday, August 3
Sprint Showdowns and Relay Clashes
Saturday delivers pure energy. The women’s 100m final headlines the evening session, following the 4×400m relay and the women’s triple jump final.
Notable Finals:
- 20:20 – Women’s Triple Jump
- 20:55 – Mixed 4×400m Relay
- 21:20 – Women’s 100m Final
- 21:45 – Men’s Decathlon 1500m (final event of decathlon)
Day 4 – Sunday, August 4
Semifinals and Sprints Build Pressure
The day mixes qualifying rounds and tension-filled finals:
- 19:50 – Women’s High Jump Final
- 20:30 – Men’s Hammer Throw Final
- 21:55 – Men’s 100m Final
The 100m sprint remains one of the most-watched events in Olympic athletics. Expect drama, false starts, and a sub-10-second finale.
Day 5 – Monday, August 5
Field and Middle-Distance Focus
Technical events dominate the morning with discus, pole vault, and hurdles, while the evening brings several gold-medal moments.
Evening Finals:
- 19:00 – Men’s Pole Vault Final
- 20:30 – Women’s Discus Final
- 21:10 – Women’s 5,000m Final
- 21:45 – Women’s 800m Final
Day 6 – Tuesday, August 6
Tactical Races and Power Throws
This day sees a shift from heats to tightly fought finals.
Medal Events:
- 20:00 – Women’s Hammer Throw Final
- 20:20 – Men’s Long Jump Final
- 20:50 – Men’s 1500m Final
- 21:10 – Women’s 3000m Steeplechase Final
- 21:40 – Women’s 200m Final
Summary Table – Paris 2024 Athletics Medal Highlights (Aug 1–6)
| Date | Time | Event | Gender | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1 | 07:30 | 20km Race Walk | Men | Final |
| Aug 1 | 09:20 | 20km Race Walk | Women | Final |
| Aug 2 | 21:20 | 10,000m | Men | Final |
| Aug 3 | 21:20 | 100m | Women | Final |
| Aug 4 | 21:55 | 100m | Men | Final |
| Aug 5 | 21:45 | 800m | Women | Final |
| Aug 6 | 20:50 | 1500m | Men | Final |
| Aug 6 | 21:40 | 200m | Women | Final |
This condensed table spotlights the prime-time finals you shouldn’t miss.
Day 7 – Wednesday, August 7
High Stakes in Field and Long-Distance Events
The morning kicks off uniquely with the Mixed Marathon Race Walk Relay at 07:30 — a new Olympic format blending endurance with team tactics.
Evening Finals:
- 19:00 – Women’s Pole Vault Final
- 20:25 – Men’s Discus Throw Final
- 21:20 – Men’s 400m Final
- 21:40 – Men’s 3,000m Steeplechase Final
Expect fierce national rivalries, particularly in the pole vault and steeplechase, where tactical surges often define gold medalists.
Day 8 – Thursday, August 8
The Rise of All-Around Athletes
Heptathlon takes center stage. It’s a grueling two-day challenge requiring technical precision and all-around resilience. The evening closes with multiple individual finals.
Finals on Day 8:
- 20:00 – Women’s Long Jump Final
- 20:25 – Men’s Javelin Final
- 20:30 – Men’s 200m Final
- 21:25 – Women’s 400m Hurdles Final
- 21:45 – Men’s 110m Hurdles Final
Day 9 – Friday, August 9
Relays, Long Distances, and Power Events
As heptathlon wraps up, sprinters and throwers return for one of the most action-packed evenings of the Games.
Medal Events Include:
- 19:30 – Women’s 4×100m Relay Final
- 19:40 – Women’s Shot Put Final
- 19:45 – Men’s 4×100m Relay Final
- 20:00 – Women’s 400m Final
- 20:10 – Men’s Triple Jump Final
- 20:15 – Heptathlon 800m Final
- 20:55 – Women’s 10,000m Final
- 21:45 – Men’s 400m Hurdles Final
Sprinters will be racing not just for medals, but for national prestige — the 4×100m relays are always high drama.
Day 10 – Saturday, August 10
A Super Saturday with the Marathon and Relay Finals
A signature feature of Olympic athletics is the Men’s Marathon, kicking off at 08:00 — a battle of pacing, hydration strategy, and mental fortitude through the streets of Paris.
Evening Medal Highlights:
- 19:10 – Men’s High Jump Final
- 19:25 – Men’s 800m Final
- 19:40 – Women’s Javelin Final
- 20:00 – Men’s 5,000m Final
- 20:25 – Women’s 1500m Final
- 21:00 – “Marathon for All” (Public Race)
- 21:12 – Men’s 4×400m Relay Final
- 21:22 – Women’s 4×400m Relay Final
Note: The “Marathon for All” is a special open race allowing non-Olympians to experience the same course — a celebration of inclusivity in elite sport.
Day 11 – Sunday, August 11
The Women’s Marathon Closes the Games
The final medal event in athletics is perhaps the most symbolic: the Women’s Marathon, starting at 08:00. Expect a classic strategic battle, featuring seasoned veterans and rising stars.
As the runners cross the finish line, they’ll also close the curtain on one of the most ambitious and inclusive Olympic athletics programs ever staged.
Storylines to Watch in Paris 2024 Athletics
1. Gender Balance and Mixed Events
For the first time, mixed events like the 4×400m relay and the marathon race walk relay reinforce the IOC’s commitment to gender parity and innovation.
2. Paris as a Stage
The use of urban landmarks like the Trocadéro and Les Invalides for race walk and marathon events blends sport and heritage, giving Paris 2024 its unique flavor.
3. Athletic Milestones
Many of the world’s top athletes will chase not just gold but historic records. Expect a push for sub-9s in men’s 100m, and national records to fall in relays and long-distance events.
Major Athletics Events After Paris 2024
The Paris 2024 Olympics mark a turning point in global athletics — with stunning performances, new formats, and elevated visibility. But the track doesn’t end here. Let’s take a quick look at what’s lined up for 2026 and how the sport continues to evolve.
Watch in 2026
| Event | Location / Date | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| World Athletics Ultimate Championship | Budapest, Sep 11–13, 2026 | $10M prize pool, 28 events, debut 4×100 mixed relay |
| European Athletics Championships | Birmingham, Aug 10–16, 2026 | 50 disciplines, first time hosted in the UK |
| World Indoor Championships | Toruń (Poland), Mar 20–22, 2026 | Full-scale indoor meet with 26 events |
| World Cross Country Championships | Tallahassee (USA), Jan 10, 2026 | Global elite of long-distance and team races |
| Asian Games | Aichi–Nagoya (Japan), Sep–Oct 2026 | Multi-sport, 41 track & field events |
| Athlos Series | USA & Europe, April–July 2026 | Women-focused track format, supported by top athletes |
| Grand Slam Track (TBC) | TBA | May return after financial recovery |
Innovation in Athletics: Formats and Futures
Two formats are reshaping how we think about track competition:
- Ultimate Championship: Designed as a season-ending “Grand Final”, this 3-day meet compresses intensity and spectacle. Expect crowd-first scheduling and global streaming.
- Athlos: A rising, athlete-led series focusing on women’s elite events, with ownership involvement from stars like Sha’Carri Richardson and Tara Davis-Woodhall. Format blends sport, storytelling, and culture.
Together, these events suggest a shift toward shorter, media-friendly formats that prioritize fan engagement and elite performance without the bulk of traditional meets.
