The upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics will not only be a grand stage for elite athletes from various countries to compete but also a visual feast that integrates creativity and design. The centerpiece of the Paris Olympics, the Stade de France, stands out with its unconventional and dreamy purple track.
Located in the northern suburbs of Paris, the Stade de France is a multi-purpose stadium that can accommodate 80,000 spectators. Initially built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup (commonly known as the “1998 France World Cup”), it is currently the largest sports stadium in France and hosted the 2016 European Championship. It is also the home venue for the French national football and rugby teams.
During the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, the Stade de France will be renamed the Olympic Stadium and will serve as the main venue for this edition of the Olympics, hosting various track and field events as well as seven-a-side rugby matches.
A highlight of this year’s Olympic track and field events is the unprecedented use of a dreamy purple color for the track, replacing the traditional brick red, showcasing the elegant and romantic atmosphere of France. The track features two shades of purple – a light purple close to lavender is used for the track and field areas, while a deep purple is used for the service areas outside the track, with the turns at the end of the track in gray.
The organizers of the Paris Olympics explained on their official website that this decision to use the unused purple color on the track was not only to align with this year’s main visual color scheme but also because purple evokes the lavender fields abundant in Provence, France, leaving a unique memory for the audience. In addition, compared to the previous red tracks, purple visually and on screen better highlights the presence of athletes, attracting more attention from spectators at the venue and those watching on television.
According to the Italian track manufacturer Mondo Sport & Flooring responsible for creating this purple track, they prioritize environmental awareness and sustainable development in the production process. Up to 50% of the track material is made from renewable and non-fossil products, and this material is highly elastic, reducing energy loss for athletes while running, helping them run faster, jump higher, and leap further.