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?

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.

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Superstar LeBron James emphatically wades into the discourse on fellow basketball-er Brittney Griner's prolonged detention in Russia.

Might we see Cameroon-born basketball star Joel Embiid on Team France at Paris 2024?

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Olympian Alex Ferlazzo looks to deepen Australia's luge future...in the tropics.

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Count Dalilah Muhammad as ready for a marquee hurdles clash at the World Championships.

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More BBC: With an Olympic medal under her belt, middle-distance runner Laura Muir is even more motivated for success.

Does soon-to-be-retired sprinter Allyson Felix's legacy go beyond the track?

CBC Sports' Devin Heroux has a compelling feature on Team Canada's 800-meter runner Marco Arop, ready to make a mark for his family at the upcoming worlds.

Can Team Italy repeat its Tokyo 2020 4x100 meter relay success at the World Championships?

Team Cuba retention woes continue as javelin thrower Yiselena Ballar stays in Miami while en route to Eugene for the World Championships. (in Spanish)

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Zoe Claessens and Pedro Benalcazar are two of the eight BMX cyclists training at the UCI World Cycling Center: UCI checks in our their progress.

Will fencer Cheung Ka-long and swimmer Siobhan Haughey win the Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards?

Australian Olympic swimming great Michael Klim reveals a severe auto-immune diagnosis that limits his leg functionality

Schweizer Illustrierte checks in with ski cross champion Ryan Regez and his three-month surfing vacation in southern California. (in German)

London 2012 boxing gold medalist Oleksandr Usyk talks returining to Ukraine and picking up weapons.

The schedule for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics is here!

Canada's 'most decorated show jumper' Eric Lamaza announces an early retirement from compoetitive equestrianism in order to foucs on his health.

Gymnastics star Sunisa Lee is learning to work through her emotions as she transitions from Olympic success into college competition.

Can up-and-coming short track speed skating brothers Farrell, Niall, and Ethan Treacy help Team Great Britain overcome the retirement of Elise CHristie?

Another young golfer to watch is Kristyna Napoleaova, successfully switching to the sport in three years.

Team USA cross-country skier Jesse Diggins reflects on another historic season.

GQ talks with NBA legend and Atlanta 1996 gold medalist Shaquille O'Neal on diet, training, and more.

Pole vaulter EJ Obiena resolves his argument with the Philippine Athletic Track and Field Association.

Sprint hurdler Devon Allen still wants an NFL career, but first wants a global medal on the track.

Cal Sports Report checks in on Mykolas Alekna, young discus thrower with a late start in the event despite his legendary father.

iSeven-time (!) Olympian Olufunke Oshonaike "wants to support other women" in her post-table tennis career after Tokyo 2020.

The end of the Tokyo 2020 Games has thankfully provided me back some free time to catch-up on much-needed Olympic-related viewing and reading. These last few days, this has meant watching HBO's "100 Foot Wave" documentary series released last month.

But that passion and excitement from surfers about being Olympians might be a little dampened by the next Games' competition. In Paris 2024, the surfing events will be held in Tahiti, more than 9,000 miles away. (!) Tahiti, part of the French Republic via French Polynesia, beat out mainland French options such as Biarritz and Lacanau.

While Tahiti offers a perfect made-for-television surfing backdrop, and it's waves at Teahupo'O can be thrilling, I can't help but think the remoteness might detract from the athletes' sense of Olympism. How will those athletes and their families even feel a part of the Games so far from the Olympic Village, the other athletes, the other sports? Or, will it, for the athletes, feel like just another large tournament stop around the globe? Perhaps the usual rigid and limited qualification for the Games - and some Olympic bunting and procedure on site! - will help tilt the experience toward an Olympic feel.

Tahiti will represent the furthest distance an event is held from a host city, ever. The previous record was equestrian having been held in Stockholm during Melbourne 1956 due to quarantine concerns. Most recently, Tokyo 2020 held its marathon and race walking events almost 700 miles away in Sapporo. And typically, many team sports' games (particularly soccer) are held in multiple sites for scheduling convenience. Paris 2024 will also host sailing away from the Games' landlocked center, in Marseilles, almost 500 miles away.

Understood, the Games are massive, and finding venues for 30+ sports in one limited geographic location is tough. But, mostly, these decisions, have come after the Games were awarded to a specific host. I would have thought that the host city's ability to host all the planned events within a somewhat reasonable geography be  a condition of hosting...otherwise, should it not be called Japan 2020 and France 2024, for example?

Regardless, to Tahiti will go Paris 2024's surfing Olympians. Luckily, Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 should offer prime local venues for the sport..and more opportunities for surfers to be better, fully, integrated as Olympians.