Today, the torch for the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics was revealed; this will be used in the official Torch Relay leading up to the Games next summer, and will share 'the spirit of the Games throughout the host city and across the country'.

For the 2024 Olympics, the torch will reach France on May 8, 2024 in Marseille after a Mediteranean journey from Greece. From there, it will cross France until the Opening Ceremony on July 26, when it will light the official Games cauldron by the final relay torchbearer; always a highlight of the evening.

Designer Mathieu Lehanneur was commissioned to work on the torch, inspired by the themes of 'equality, water, and peacefulness' - resulting in symmetry, waves, and gentle curves, respectively. The unique champagne color of the torch adds a sense of 'lightness'.

Some fact and figures:

• Size: 70cm
• Minimum diameter: 3.5cm
• Maximum diameter: 10cm
  
• Weight: 1.5kg
  
• Color: Champagne
• Material: ArcelorMittal XCarb® steel from recycled and renewable sources
• Fuel: Biopropane
• Number of Torches produced: 2,000

What do you think of the new torch? And how does it compare to previous ones?

The International Olympic Committee was founded on this day in 1894, fulfilling the efforts of Baron Pierre de Coubertin. Olympic Day is annually celebrated in the date's honor.

For 2023, the Olympic Day theme is 'Let's Move'...with the help of many Olympic sports athletes, including runner Faith Kipyegon, karateka Sandra Sanchez, freestyle skier Eileen Gu, sport climber Petra Klingler, and more...

So...#LetsMove!

Well, the official Paris 2024 mascot has been unveiled. And, it sure is a different take, as it is a 'living' embodiment of a traditional 'liberty' symbol from throughout French history...the Phrygian cap.

It certainly is French! And, the Phyrges are a "nod to the revolutionary spirit" Paris 2024 wants to install in the Games, according to the organizing committee's Tony Estanguet.

Of course, there is a colorful characterization story as well. From Paris 2024 regarding the Olympic Phryge: "Always thoughtful and an astute strategist, she embarks on adventures only after carefully weighing up all of the pros and cons. Just like the Olympic athletes, she knows the importance of measuring all the various parameters to achieve her goals."

Earlier thoughts that Paris 2024 might go in such a unique direction proved well-founded. The Olympic Phryge and Paralympic Phyrge join London 2012's Wenlock and Mandeville and Atlanta 1996's Izzy as departures from typical animal-based mascots.

​What do you think?

All the previous 13 Summer Olympics since Munich 1972 have had at least one official mascot, helping to market the Games through personality and fun, while bringing in additional revenue opportunities through licensed paraphernalia.

There's been lots of talk recently in Olympic circles regarding the sports program for Los Angeles 2028 and beyond. Between existing Olympic sports boxing, weightlifting, and modern pentathlon facing potential expulsion, if you will, and the invitation from LA28 to other select sports for consideration, there's been plenty to ponder.

​That LA28 invitation went to nine governing bodies: breaking (which is set for Paris 2024 inclusion), baseball & softball and karate (both of which were unfortunately dropped after Tokyo 2020), squash, flag football, lacrosse, cricket, kickboxing, and motorsports.

​The latter of that list - motorsports is a possible watershed moment on the Olympic program, as it was only in 2012 that the IOC removed from its charter reference to not including any sports where motorization was a key element. 

Flag football would seem a stretch to this rather traditionalist, but there has been world championship events since 2002, and a way for 'American football' to receive a foothold into the Games. But I never thought I'd see breaking in the Games, either. We'll see what develops after these nine sports make their cases later this month. Current guidelines call for an overall athlete cap of 10,500 plus a global youth appeal, limited operation complexity, and sustainable environmental impact.

I know, not every sport can (or should) be in the Games. But in the meantime, though, below are my thoughts on the top ten sports or sport disciplines that I'd like to see make it into a Summer Olympic program. Or at least brought back as a demonstration sport!

What do you think should be in the Games? Let me know in the comments.

And check out my thoughts on recommended new Winter Olympic sports, too.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach visits Ukraine's president Volodomyr Zelenskyy and its embattled athletes at the nation's Olympic Training Center.

​"It is time for all sports to ban Russian athletes until the war is over." Skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych doubles down in his support for Ukraine as the war continues.

​Sydney 2000 gymnastics medalist Ruslan Mezentsev auctions off his silver medal to help fund protective equipment at home in Ukraine during the war.

What motivates Lesia Tsurneko to keep playing professional tennis? The money she can send home as support during the war against Ukraine.

​More Ukrainian tennis: Tokyo 2020 medalist Elina Svitolina 'feels the weight of war'.

Tennis player Marie Bouzkova's Wimbledon quarterfinal run came after a difficult Covid-19 bout just a month earlier.

Is Beijing 2022 ice hockey silver medalist Ivan Fedotov a military dodger?

Daniela Fonseca returned Cuba to women's Olympic table tennis at Tokyo 2020...does she have another Games in her future? (ITTF Magazine page 72)

Is figure skating great Yuzuru Hanyu not retired?

Olympic gymnastics champion Sunisa Lee returns to Team USA training camp with an eye to an international return.

Beijing 2008 soccer player Sacha Kljestan has some words on gun violence in the U.S.

NCAA sprint star Abby Steiner sets a record for sponsorship for a female collegiate athlete.

Long jumper Quanesha Burkes has a mission as she looks to her next appearance with Team USA: "Now it's time to get medals".

London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius works toward an early parole release with a meeting with his victim's father.

How much will a recent Covid-19 bout affect Olympic sprinting star Andre de Grasses's World Championship status?

Is middle-distance -turned-long-distance runner Caster Semenya "the greatest that has ever done it"?

'Perfection is a place that must remain out of reach.' Shot put star Ryan Crouser chases it regardless.

​Meanwhile, fellow shot putter Raven Saunders takes a break from the rest of the season.

Discus thrower Nicholas Percy is 'ecstatic' for the 'bonus' of making Team Great Britain's world championship squad this summer.

Runner Sara Carcinelli leads a team from the Vatican (!) to an appearance at the Mediterranean Games.

Speaking of small states...Shannon Galea is the latest feature on the Keep the Flame Alive podcast, discussing her journey as a skeleton athlete for Malta.

Need a feel-good moment? Francisca Tala of Team Chile scores a special goal at the women's field hockey World Cup.

Well, count Cedric Chatellier as one modern pentathlete open to the proposed changes to the sport.

Swimmer Octavio Alesi and fencer Cody Mattern are just two athletes leveraging Los Angeles 2028's Athlete Fellowship Program to gain hands-on work experience.

United World Wrestling: What makes Amir Yazdani Olympic wrestling's next big superstar?

Denise Herrmann reflects on her 'perfect Olympic day' with BiathlonWorld.

"I'm terrified I might be here forever." Basketball star Brittney Griner writes from Russian jail.

Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the 'key to Canada's basketball renaissance'?

Six-time Olympic luge champion Natalie Geisenberger now 'wants to concentrate fully on her family'.

Count Team France star Allison Pineau as not a fan of Paris 2024's scheduling plans for team handball.