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The international press unanimously hailed the success of these Games. The Washington Post headlined: “The Olympics needed a reset. Merci to Paris, for providing it.” The New York Times called it “a Triumph of ambition,” adding that “France will emerge with a new self-confidence”. The Guardian paid a glowing tribute to Paris, describing the Games as “the most beautiful and serene in history… everything seemed sweeter and more joyful,” while El Pais emphasised their “sporting, organizational, and social success,” and La Repubblica highlighted the “Olympics of diversity,” pointing out that their “results symbolize inclusion and the fight against discrimination.”
Paris deliberately chose to break the mold, presenting an unprecedented version of the Games. Each one of its “out-of-the-box” choices was crowned with success. From the spectacular opening ceremony on the Seine, to the marathon and the 10k open to all, the winning bets are countless. But the most striking and successful decision made was to hold as many competitions as possible at Paris’s most famous monuments and sites. Place de la Concorde, the Grand Palais, the Esplanade des Invalides, the Eiffel Tower, the grounds of Versailles, and the Seine itself provided exceptional settings, giving the events another dimension, with the beauty of the venues enhancing the suspense of the competitions.
These competitions took place in a passionate atmosphere, fueled by the successes of French athletes, as vividly described by The Washington Post: “Now listen to every member of this crowd singing the Marseillaise and try not to get goosebumps. It’s impossible.” The fan zones, vibrating to the rhythm of the Games, set the city ablaze. At Club France, the communion between athletes, celebrated like rock stars, and their fans created a phenomenal atmosphere. The Parc des Champions, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, saw champions from all over the world parade every day. A new concept that brought athletes and fans together in perfect harmony, leaving a permanent mark on their hearts and brandishing Paris the capital of sport and celebration.
The Paris 2024 Games have set records across the board – in ticket sales, TV audiences, in the number of world records broken in various disciplines and… for the French, in medals won! How could anyone sulk when the entire experience of this years’ Olympic Games left no room for the French to practice their favorite sport: complaining.
Sunday evening’s closing ceremony sealed these magical moments. Strong symbols recounted the 19 days of fervor, paying tribute to the athletes, thanking the 45,000 volunteers, and acknowledging the public, all united in reinventing this event. The torch was then passed to Los Angeles with a spectacular performance by Tom Cruise, followed by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Billie Eilish, who gave us a preview of what awaits in 2028, set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.
All of this made the return to work on Monday particularly tough. The pressure of the week ahead was compounded by the void left by the Games. No more competitions to follow, no more medals to hope for. But fear not, the Paralympic Games are fast approaching. One of the happiest surprises of the Olympics is that ticket sales, which had been stagnant despite advertising campaigns, have soared in the last 15 days. So, in two weeks’ time, the celebration begins again. Come. We’ll be waiting for you!