As the city of art and design, Paris lives up to its name with an unprecedented purple athletic track at the Olympics that's much more than meets the eye.

For the first time, the track at the Paris Olympics has shifted from brick red to lavender. This new colour not only adds elegance and charm, echoing the romantic allure of the city, but also embodies a series of environmental concepts. 

The lavender-hued track at the Stade de France was created by the Italian manufacturer Mondo, using natural materials such as clam and mussel shells, which are rich in calcium and commonly used for flooring. These shells are cleaned and ground into powder to create the track surface. Aesthetically, it is designed to feel light and bright, giving athletes the impulse to start running.

The Paris Olympics feature three main colours: blue, green, and purple. In addition to the track, many of the event venues and sports equipment are also governed by purple or pastel shades for a touch of whimsy and chic.

Photo courtesy of Paris 2024; olympics.com