Paris 2024 Olympics: What is the stick that people hit on the ground at the start of each event at the Olympic Games?
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Published 07/08/2024 at 21:54 GMT+1
Throughout Paris 2024, fans have noticed at the start of each event, legends of different sports have been spotted banging a stick on the ground. Icons such as Tony Hawk and Carmelo Anthony have been in attendance at events with this mysterious stick. But what is this new addition to the Olympic Games extravaganza in the French capital?
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At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, a new ritual of banging a stick on a ground at the start of each event has been added.
Throughout the Olympics, many sport stars have been spotted doing this, such as Billie Jean King, Tony Hawk and Carmelo Anthony.
What is the stick and what is it a symbol of?
The stick that people are banging against the ground is called a brigadier, and it symbolises the start of every event at the Paris Olympics.
The banging of the brigadier has become a mini form of an opening ceremony at the start of each event. The wooden staff is struck against the ground three times to silence the crowd and celebrate the beginning of the competition.
The brigadier is linked to theatrics and performance.
The baton strikes the ground three times to silence the crowd and suggests that the spectators are going to witness something great.
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Billie Jean King is introduced ahead of the Men's Doubles first round match in Paris, France.
Image credit: Getty Images
The three hits of the stick against the ground are known as 'les trois coups, s'il vous plait', which directly translates to 'the three hits, please.'
This ritual has been introduced only at the Paris Olympic Games to celebrate France's rich theatrical culture.
The three hits against the ground are usually used in the theatre ahead of a performance before the curtains come up at the start of a show.
The origins are rather hazy as to why the brigadier is hit three times. One practical reason was for the stage manager to communicate to the three theatre crews (the flyers, wings, and under the stage) that they were ready for the curtains to go up.
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Why is the stick called a brigadier?
The name has often been said to come from the navy, where the brigadier leads the crew.
In the Olympics, the stick is used to command the audience just like a brigadier would command their brigade in the navy.
The brigadier is made from wood and wrapped in red velvet, which is attached to the stick by golden nails.
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Tony Hawk starts the competition with the inaugural baton ‘A Brigadier’ at Place de la Concorde on August 07, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
Which famous people have been spotted using the brigadier?
Most recently on Wednesday, August 7, Tony Hawk, the iconic American skateboarder, was spotted at La Concorde kicking off the men's skateboarding park final.
He tapped the stick three times against the ground to symbolise the start of the event.
Tennis star Billie Jean King kicked off the men's tennis doubles, before Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal faced off against Argentina Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez.
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Former NBA player Carmelo Anthony bears the brigadier prior to a Men's basketball quarterfinal game between Team United States and Team Brazil (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
Probably the most emphatic performance of the Games so far was in the basketball where former NBA basketball star Carmelo Anthony bared the baton ahead of Brazil vs USA at the Bercy Arena.
During his time as a professional basketball player Anthony competed at the 2008. 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games where Team USA won three consecutive gold medals.
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