Paris 2024: A Dreamy Olympic Adventure in the City of Lights
My Paris 2024 Olympic Experience
Freshly back on American soil after spending the last 10 days at the Olympics in Paris, France. A literal dream! I wish I could go back and relive it all over again.
And I could not have asked for a better place or experience for my first Olympic Games. All I can say is France knows what they are doing.
The only problem is that I have morphed into a literal croissant after eating my way through every Boulangerie in sight…
That’s not true. I’m also a baguette too. Regardless of what bakery item I’ve become, Paris officially puts on a successful post-COVID Games between the venues, security, and operational excellence. Let me break it down for you.
The city of lights has amplified the 2024 Olympic Games with once-in-a-lifetime venues, ushering in a new era of Olympic preparation. Paris is mostly utilizing existing infrastructure and buildings and supplementing the rest with recyclable and re-purposeful designs.
The opening ceremony on the Seine was the most unique and revolutionary to date, starring Paris’ most famous landmarks and inviting the entire city into the event.
Blocks away, we watched on television as we sipped on Aperol spritz and Côte du Rhône vin and snacked on frites at Restaurant Le Presles. Highly recommend by the way!
The pomp and celebration were palpable and surrounded us, a welcome embrace even as the sky spit precipitation all around. As the Ceremony reached peak culmination, as if summoned by the Eiffel Tower herself, a group of us spontaneously sprinted to her, standing in her luxurious shadow, soaked in her gravitas and the rain pouring down.
We merged with the larger crowd, humans from all around the globe, mesmerized by the crescendo of the evening and the initiation of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. All standing at the foot of the Iron Lady, our energy mixed and compounding, igniting the Olympic Spirit within, linking us forever to that moment.
Tears of joy streamed down my face mixing with the raindrops, a waterfall from my eyes to my cheeks. It was one of the most glorious events of my life thus far and I wish for everyone to experience that level of joy and exultation.
With that start to the Games, Paris was off to a transcendent start.
The magic continued at the beach volleyball venue, Eiffel Tour Stadium, residing at the center of the Champs de Mars and under the glamourous eye of the Eiffel Tour. UNREAL is the only way to describe it.
On the other side of the Iron Lady, on the Pont d’Iéna bridge, the Trocadéro venue felt like the heart of it all, playing a major part in almost all of the road events and housing free spectator viewing opportunities at the center of the action.
If you ventured across the bridge, you would enter Champions Park where the party lives, offering a stage and runway feel to celebrate the athletes.
Several bridges down is the historic Pont Alexandre III bridge where the controversial swimming in the Seine events kicked off. The locals are still baffled that anyone would get in that water. I asked everyone I could about the #JeChieDansLaSeine “Shit in the Seine” campaign which occurred right before the start of the Games. Most shared a sinister laugh and some snarky commentary regarding the Parisienne Mayor dipping into the water as promised, wishing her ill. I took it as dark humor…
Just off the Champs-Élysées is the surreal Grand Palais showcasing fencing and taekwondo under the famous glass domes of the structure. This venue offers a stunning amalgamation of elegant sports and history.
In the North, Stade de France and the Aquatics Centre are neighbors with the Olympic Village nearby, a hub for athletes and diving, water polo, rugby, and track & field. The Stade de France is a vision of purple, a massive stadium that somehow still offers proper viewing for all, no bad seat in the house.
And of course, the landmarks of the Palace of Versailles and Roland Garros. The Château de Versailles hosted all of the equestrian events and the red clay of Roland Garros was the residence of all of tennis. Both venues, are timeless and majestic in their own right, presenting unforgettable backdrops of history and class to each Olympic sport.
That is just one sampling of some of the venues around Paris and France but the list goes on, offering remarkable experiences at every turn.
From the first event we attended, it was clear that Paris was Prepared with a capital P. The volunteers, security, police, hospitality staff, organizers, everyone — they were ready, each fitting their piece of the operational puzzle and it was a masterpiece.
Security, police, and the French military were a heavy presence throughout the city and the venues, providing a non-threatening sense of safety and peace. Their security apparatus seemed well-oiled and organized, allowing every citizen, guest, tourist, and athlete to relax and enjoy their journey in Paris.
I must give a special shoutout to all of the volunteers. They were the epitome of excellence, providing assistance and stability everywhere, from the venues to the metro. They were the heart of the operations, consistently keeping the flow moving and ensuring all knew where they were going, helping with every need. I firmly believe the Games would not be successfully executed without the volunteers being the boots on the ground and the common thread throughout. Bravo!
Super safe and organized.
Last but not least, the mascot, Phryge!!!!! Based on the Phrygian caps from the French Revolution, Phryge stole my heart and the hearts of the world. She is an icon and a superstar. At one point, us three grown adults, sprinted faster than Usain Bolt to get a picture with the star of the Games, Phryge. I know it likely looked absolutely absurd but I have no shame. I would do it again.
She’s a legend.
From the mascot to the merch and the overall branding, a stellar delivery of the Paris 2024 brand. The vibrant teals, pinks, purples, blues, and golds lit up an already gleaming city. One would think it couldn’t be possible to make the most beautiful city in the world even more aesthetic but the organizers pulled it off.
Paris exuded the Olympic vibe in every nook and cranny, making you feel part of something larger, part of the Olympic movement.
Additionally, the city was comprehensively sprinkled with celebratory, cultural, and sporting events offering both free and paid hospitality events. There were spectator viewing sites, fan fests, food fairs, immersive sports playing, parties, broadcasts, and many other interactive events.
The whole city was pulsing with activities and camaraderie over the shared love of culture, sport, and the Olympics.
Was it all a dream? It feels that way. I’m still pinching myself because it couldn’t possibly have been real. My heart is full and I want to share it with everyone I can.
My advice: RUN don’t walk to the next Olympic Games because it is an experience of a lifetime. You will not regret it.
References
Paris 2024. (n.d.). Olympics.com. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024