The City of Lights Shines Bright: Parisians Embrace Olympic Spirit

With the initial doubts and grumblings cast aside, Paris has warmly embraced the Olympic spirit. Even the city's notoriously cynical locals have been won over, with many returning early from their holidays, eager to be a part of this special event.

Administrator

12 August, 2024

142

“My brother is coming back early; I told him it was brilliant,” said 42-year-old Morad Sahbani to AFP as he pushed a stroller through a bustling fanzone in northwest Paris, where thousands of locals gathered to cheer on France’s medal hopefuls.

“I knew it would be good. We French tend to be self-critical, but ultimately, we deliver,” Sahbani added. “These Olympics have been a success… Many people now regret not being here.”

The atmosphere in the capital has noticeably shifted since the rainy opening ceremony on July 26. Better weather, stunning venues, and the rise of new national sports icons like swimmer Leon Marchand have ignited a sense of pride among Parisians.

While many wealthy locals left the city for their summer vacations in July, expecting Olympic chaos, those who stayed are relishing the relaxed summer vibes, the mix of international sports fans, and the free entertainment for those who can’t afford the often-high ticket prices.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games cauldron takes flight, attached to a balloon, soaring over Paris with the Hotel des Invalides as a backdrop on August 5, 2024. Photo: AFP

Fanzones with giant screens are packed, and around 160,000 people book slots each evening to witness the Olympic cauldron’s free ascent near the Louvre museum.

One of the most popular innovations of the Paris Games is the boisterous “Champions Park,” where medallists meet the public after their events, attracting a daily crowd of 27,000 people.

Celia Damase, a 41-year-old mother of two, shared her enjoyment of the fanzone in the northwestern 17th district. Her children participated in the free sports activities organized by the Paris authorities, and she noticed a friendlier ambiance in the city.

Onlookers capture the moment as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games cauldron, attached to a balloon, ascends at sunset in Paris on August 6, 2024. Photo: AFP

Large Crowds and Centralized Venues

The Paris Games’ concept was to utilize the city itself as a stage and backdrop, rather than constructing new infrastructure on the outskirts, as was the model for many previous host cities.

Temporary central locations hosted much of the sporting events: skateboarding at Place de la Concorde, fencing in the Grand Palais exhibition space, and beach volleyball with the Eiffel Tower as a stunning backdrop.

Agathe Chaigneau, a 50-year-old Parisian art dealer, commented, “We don’t need new stadiums.” She was crossing the gilded Alexandre III bridge, the starting point for the triathlon and marathon swimming, and added, “They’ve transformed the city into a massive stadium. It’s fantastic.”

Both athletes and reporters have been surprised by the enthusiasm of the crowds, both inside and outside the venues.

Benoit Arrault, a 43-year-old air conditioning technician, attended the rugby 7s event, where France won their first gold medal under the leadership of captain Antoine Dupont, in front of a packed 80,000-capacity national stadium.

Women with bicycles arrive to witness the Paris 2024 Olympic Games cauldron, attached to a balloon, at the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris on August 6, 2024. Photo: AFP

Large crowds lined the streets for the cycling road race last weekend, and similar turnouts are expected for the marathons on Saturday and Sunday.

French triathlon bronze medallist Leo Bergere expressed his surprise at the loud support he received while running through the city, stating that the noise “hurt our ears” in a lighthearted comment to reporters.

Overcoming Scepticism

As the praise for the Games mounts, organizers are taking the opportunity to remind their critics that they always had faith in their ability to deliver a successful event.

Throughout the lead-up to the Games, organizers insisted that the worries and complaints were typical of any Olympic host city. Tony Estanguet, the Games supremo, also attributed some of the skepticism to a national tendency towards pessimism.

This week, Paris deputy mayor Pierre Rabadan recalled the significant time he spent defending the Olympics against “widespread scepticism.” However, he always believed in the potential for public enthusiasm, and now that faith has been rewarded with the city’s vibrant atmosphere.

Spectators admire the Paris 2024 Olympic Games cauldron, attached to a balloon, at sunset in the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris on July 28, 2024. Photo: AFP

While there have been some hiccups, such as water quality issues in the River Seine disrupting the triathlon, and controversies surrounding the opening ceremony, the overall sentiment among locals is positive.

Martine Pinto, a 46-year-old shop owner, sums up the mood: “Everyone thought getting around would be a nightmare, but it’s all fine. I think there are people who now regret leaving.”