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2024.06.26 15:13 GMT+8

Operational athletics test held in Paris before 2024 Olympics

Updated 2024.06.26 15:13 GMT+8
Sports Scene

Sprinters run in an operational athletics test at the Stade de France in Paris, France, June 25, 2024. /CFP

An operational track and field test was held on Tuesday at the Stade de France, where young athletes from the host nation and abroad gathered to try out the facilities for the various athletics events that will take place at the stadium after the 2024 Summer Olympics get underway on July 26.

The renovation of the Stade de France for the Paris Games began in 2021, and among the new features are nearly 150 sports floodlights illuminating the arena. They have been replaced with energy-efficient LED technology, as well as architectural lights that will brighten the surface of the stadium's roof to create light shows.

Giant screens the size of tennis courts – more than 240 square meters – have been installed in the Stade de France. Forty-three athletics events, 160 para-athletics competitions and two rugby sevens games will take place at the stadium during the Olympics.

"Honestly, the track looks great. I felt like I was flying, even though I got off to a bad start in my series," French sprinter Raphalledy Guillaume said. "I still managed to keep going and make up more than ten seconds. Unfortunately, I couldn't beat my PB (personal best), but it's still a great experience running here. The track allows us to take off."

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