Photos: See how Paris has evolved from the 1924 Summer Olympics to today

In the summer of 1924, more than 600,000 spectators descended on Paris for the Olympic Games. The competitions were broadcast on the radio for the first time, allowing listeners around the world to vicariously experience the “Flying Finns” of track and field and other elite athletes. The British stars Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell triumphed on the track, inspiring the 1981 Oscar-winning film “Chariots of Fire” and a soaring electronic theme by Vangelis.

In the century since, Paris and its surrounding cities have been utterly transformed by political upheaval, technological revolution and demographic shifts. But when the City of Lights hosts the Games for a third time this July, spectators and television audiences will be reminded how much has remained the same, from the towering landmarks of metropolitan Paris to the pageantry of the opening ceremony.

VIII Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony (Topical Press Agency / Hulton Archive)

The site of the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, France. (Smith Archive / Alamy Stock Photo)

Helen Wills of the USA in play during the doubles match between Wills and Hazel Wightman and British duo Phyllis Covell and Kathleen McKane. Wills and Wightman won the gold. (PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo / Alamy Stock Photo)

Spectators At The Olympic Polo Games (Bettmann Archive)

Cyclists, surrounded by team members, volunteers and officials, about to set off for the Individual Time Trials during the 1924 Paris Olympics. (Alamy Stock Photo)

The first leg of the women’s triathlon test event for the 2024 Olympics Games, on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées on Aug. 17, 2023. (Michel Euler / AP)

US Olympic Gymnasts Pose in Pyramid (Bettmann Archive)

Lucy Norton of Great Britain wins the final of teh women’s 200 metres breast stroke. (PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo)

Athletes dive into the Seine river at the start of the women’s triathlon test event for the 2024 Olympics Games on Aug. 17, 2023. (Michel Euler / AP)

OLY-1924-PARIS-SWIMMING (AFP via Getty Images)

Athletics – 1924 Summer Olympics Paris – Men’s 400m (PA Images via Getty Images)

Shoppers peruse bookstalls beneath the towers of Notre Dame in Paris, 1923. (Antiqua Print Gallery / Alamy Stock Photo)

Stalls of bouquinistes, booksellers of used and antiquarian books along the banks of the Seine, Paris city centre, France (Alex Mastro / Alamy Stock Photo)

Olympic rings in front of Hotel de Ville Paris City Hall (Elena Dijour / Alamy Stock Photo)

Athletes play water polo in Olympic Pool (Central Press / Getty Images)

The Olympic Aquatic Centre on March 28, 2024 in Paris, France. It will host the artistic swimming, water polo and diving events. (Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images)

Paavo Nurmi – Summer Olympics Paris – 1924 – Cross Country Event. Image shot 1924. Exact date unknown. (Alamy Stock Photo)

Olympic Games Paris 1924 Alphonse Gemuseus (SUI) riding Lucette, the gold medallist (Split Seconds / Alamy Stock Photo)

OLY-2024-FRA-EQUESTRIAN-TEST (Bertrand Guay / AFP via Getty Images)

Paris, France: June 9, 1923 Memorial Day at the Arc de Triomphe de lEtoile at the western end of the Champs-Elysees in Paris. It honors those who fought for France. (Underwood Archives, Inc / Alamy Stock Photo)

FRANCE-OLY-PARIS-2024 (Stephane de Sakutin / AFP via Getty Images)

Athletes Competing in 10,000 Meter Race sp (Bettmann Archive)

Paris Cafe (Topical Press Agency / Getty Images)

Parisian Restaurant in St Michel, Latin Quarter (Pawel Libera / Getty Images)

Men repainting the beams of the Eiffel Tower in August 1924 (Shawshots / Alamy Stock Photo)

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com