Ipsos B&A has released the findings of a 33-country looking at attitudes to the 2024 Paris Games.
Key findings include:
- In Ireland, 57% say that they are interested in the Games. China (86%), Thailand (77%), Indonesia (75%) and Philippines (72%) are the most interested. In host country France only 44% are interested, but this is higher than it was in 2021 (32%).
- The Paris event is viewed as having a positive, unifying effect. Around three in four say the Games presents an important opportunity for the world to come together (77%), it brings Ireland together (72%) and makes me proud of Ireland (79%).
- War and economic crises should not stop the event from taking place. A majority in all countries surveyed say the Games should go ahead despite the world’s economy and wars around the world. A majority in all countries also feel like the climate crisis should not stop the event in the French capital from happening.
- The Games seen more as an inspiration for future generations, than for individuals today. Eight in ten (82%) in Ireland say the Games inspires tomorrow’s generation to take part in sport. However, only 48% say the event inspires them to actually participate themselves.
- Irish people most interested in athletics, football, gymnastics and aquatics. However, notable excitement too for boxing, rugby, golf and rowing with excitement about these sports higher in Ireland than most other countries.
- Irish men are most looking forward to football, athletics and boxing, while women are most looking forward to gymnastics, athletics and aquatics.
Commenting on the results, Jessica Hearne, Senior Research Executive at Ipsos B&A, said:
Irish people are clearly excited about the next few weeks and with such a strong team representing us in Paris there are many reasons to be hopeful for success. We can see that the excitement stretches beyond our traditional medal successes with big interest in sports such as athletics and gymnastics. The high levels of interest in golf too are noteworthy, with Ireland sending superstars of the world game to compete in Paris.
The real contests perhaps will be on the couches around Ireland with the battle for the remote control, with men looking forward to football and boxing, while women showing more interest in gymnastics and aquatics.
A key feature of the Games is encouraging many of us to get more active, however, the real impact is likely to be seen among children who will be watching sports they often wouldn’t see on television. This is where many see an important role for the Olympics in encouraging the younger generations to swim, run or try gymnastics in their gardens.
About this study
The “33*-country average” reflects the average result for all the countries and markets where the survey was conducted. It has not been adjusted to the population size of each country or market and is not intended to suggest a total result.
Technical note: Ipsos interviewed 24,531 adults online in 33 countries between May 24th and June 7th, 2024. Quotas were set to ensure representativeness and data have been weighted to the known population profile of each country. The sample consists of approximately 1,000 individuals each in Australia, Brazil, Canada, mainland China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, and the U.S., and 500 individuals each in Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, and Türkiye. The sample in India consists of approximately 2,200 individuals, of whom approximately 1,800 were interviewed face-to-face and 400 were interviewed online.
For more information about this study please contact Jessica Hearne, Senior Research Executive, Ipsos B&A: jessica.hearne@ipsos.com
