Yesterday, organisers of the 2024 Paris Olympics have revealed that in a bid to get the public more involved in the games, they will be allowed to take part in the Olympic marathon.
According to news publications, the organising committee has been quoted as saying they plan to stage a mass participation event on the same day as the elite race, “on the same course and in the same conditions as the Olympic athletes”.
They have also hinted they are looking at other events on the Olympic schedule in which they can include mass participation.
The mass race would take place on the same day as the elite competition, but would take place at a different time, according to committee president Tony Estanguet. In this respect, it would be similar to other Major Marathons, in which the elite set off before the masses. However, Estanguet added, “this is the Olympic marathon. And that’s what’s really, truly different.”
It has been made clear that nobody in the amateur field would be eligible for a medal in the race, as they would need to have qualified for the Olympics first.
Historically, the International Olympic Committee has discouraged hosts from inviting the general public to participate in events due to security concerns.
