A growing sporting identity

In addition to the artistic events of 1924, the Grand Palais has hosted a number of sporting events throughout its history, justifying ( although not necessarily) its status as an Olympic and Paralympic venue this summer. In no particular order, these events include:

– The central Paris show, known as L’Hippique, with its three weeks of competitions, 1,500 horses and an average of 40,000 visitors. The 1906 event went down in equestrian history with the feat of Captain Crousse and his horse Conspirateur, who cleared a 2.35 m bar to become world equestrian high jump champions.

– The great gymnastics festival at the Grand Palais: nearly 1,000 gymnasts gather once a year to put on demonstrations (apparatus, pommel horse, boxing, wrestling, baton twirling, human pyramids).

– After the First World War, the site became a “playground” for the Grand Palais military hospital. In 1916, it had 1,300 beds and housed 700 soldiers undergoing rehabilitation, based in particular on rehabilitation gymnastics and muscle-strengthening exercises.

– The Christmas Cup: since 1908, this open-water swimming race has been run on the Seine, from the Port du Gros Caillou all the way across to the Conference under the Grand Palais, in extreme conditions.

– In 1937, the Grand Palais hosted the French International Professional Tennis Championship, known as the “French Pro”. The fixtures were held in the Nave, which had been transformed for the occasion.

– The 1937 French Fencing Championships were held in the Grand Palais.

– Boxing had its heyday there, with Marcel Cerdan’s fight against De Ridder on 28 June 1942.

– In January 1944, a new sport was introduced with the French women’s volleyball team.

– After a period of renovation at the start of the 21st century, the Nave reopened to the public and hosted a number of sporting events: Pari-Roller (2009), More than a game (basketball in 2009), the Saut Hermès (equestrian) but above all, the world fencing championship in 2010. Seventy-three years after the French championship in 1937, fencing returned to the Grand Palais, bringing together 900 fencers from 110 nations in front of 4,500 spectators! A foretaste (even if we didn’t know it at the time) of the Paris 2024 Games!

Yes, in 2024, the Grand Palais will be undergoing a new sporting adventure. In order to welcome the fencers and taekwondoists in the best possible conditions, the building has had to close its doors for three years for restoration work and to bring it up to standard. The events will take place in the Nave, which has just been restored for the occasion. 8,000 spectators will be able to watch the Olympic and Paralympic fencing and taekwondo competitions.