There was the fervour of the public, the impressive sporting records, the breathtaking setting of the capital, the infectious energy of the volunteers… And a few hiccups, too. After fifteen days of competitions and the frantic succession of events, the editorial staff of L’Express takes stock of its favourites and its small disappointments during these 2024 Olympic Games.
What we liked
Club France
It was the place to be during these 2024 Games: located in the heart of the Parc de la Villette in Paris, Club France became the symbol of the celebration of French performances for two weeks. Welcoming up to 25,000 people at a time, the venue – which was often sold out – allowed French supporters to follow the competitions live on a giant screen and to cheer as they should the athletes visiting the site, who were welcomed like real superstars. For just five euros, spectators were able to share their adrenaline rushes, their sorrows and their hopes, all in an impressive fervour. The promise was kept: for two weeks, Club France succeeded in making the Olympic Games a popular celebration accessible to all.
GL Events and the Olympic venues
Stadiums, stands, tents, lighting, air conditioning, VIP villages, living spaces, etc. “We manage 70% of the temporary facilities for the Games,” says Olivier Ferraton, Deputy CEO of GL Events. There are the most visible sites such as the Place de la Concorde (25,000 seats), the Champ-de-Mars or the temporary Grand Palais. In total, the world leader in events is present at around sixty Olympic sites and 25 private locations (such as the USA House at the Palais Brongniart). Not to mention the assembly and management of around twenty accommodation centres (100,000 seats) such as the one dedicated to the army on the Pelouse de Reuilly. Throughout this fortnight, it was also necessary to adapt to reconfigure certain stands to change sports (from handball to weightlifting at Porte de Versailles, from gymnastics to basketball at the Bercy Arena). A movement that is not about to stop with the Paralympic events that will begin at the end of August. With an additional challenge: to be at the rendezvous of accessibility.
The “atmosphere leaders”
For fifteen consecutive days, with boundless energy and infectious humor, they gave their voices to make the competitions magical. With great blows of clappinggiant karaoke, olas and improvised choreographies, those officially called “atmosphere leaders” electrified the millions of spectators who came to watch the athletes’ performances. Their bet was successful: despite the rain, the burning sun or the stifling heat, the high-energy atmosphere of each competition left a lasting impression on the supporters. No matter their nation’s results, they all leave with the same smile on their lips, and the same conclusion: “The atmosphere was crazy!”
Joe Dassin and Johnny Hallyday, the soundtrack of the Olympic Games
You had to see American actress Sharon Stone belting out at the top of her lungs The Champs-Elysées by Joe Dassin during the Alcaraz-Djokovic tennis final. Or listen to Teddy Riner’s supporters sing That I love you by Johnny Hallyday after his Olympic victory. The hits of our two icons transformed the Olympic stands into giant karaoke bars for two weeks. Ideal for getting the party started in the stadiums… and for offering foreign spectators a bit of French culture!
What we didn’t like
“What Games” and Léa Salamé
Wasn’t there someone else at France Télévisions other than Léa Salamé to host the Olympic Games evenings? Not that the journalist lacks talent or pugnacity: we know her ability to push her guests to their limits, which she defined as a search for the “moment” with Konbini, in 2023. Simply, her very “people” questions often seemed out of step with the sporting exploits, on which the public wanted to linger. Like when she questions the mother of Thaïs Méheust, a rider who died in competition with her horse, in 2019: “When she dies, what goes on in your head that makes you think that her horse, which is responsible in a way for her death, goes to the Games without her?” Embarrassing.
Flying taxis
Volocopter has been prophesying the advent of flying taxis for over ten years. In reality, the start-up is struggling to convert the test. It was supposed to take advantage of the Paris Olympics to conduct experimental flights. Unfortunately, they were postponed due to the lack of certification of the engines in time. The slow take-off of this sector suggests that it has not yet clearly defined its target. These machines designed for urban areas will probably ultimately be less suitable for the general public than for niche uses, such as transporting organs.
The restaurant… and the refreshment bar
For stadium regulars, queuing at a refreshment stand or food stand is a tradition. Sometimes even a pleasure. Not during these Olympics. Random products, untraceable origin, meager stock, mind-boggling prices: almost 9 euros for a ham and butter sandwich. In the land of gastronomy… While some will regret the lack of alcohol, the height of boredom has rather been reached by the deposit system. Add two euros to any drink for a cup that is sometimes impossible to return, when the cash registers were closing as soon as the event was over. Not far from forced sales.
Visa’s monopoly
This is a monopoly that has annoyed more than one person. That of the American Visa, by virtue of a partnership with the International Olympic Committee, preventing Mastercard or American Express cardholders from buying Paris 2024 t-shirts and pins in official stores or from buying a snack at competition sites. In the era of contactless or smartphone payment, it was necessary to have cash. Or download the “Visa Go” app, a virtual prepaid card, capped at 150 euros. A source of frustration that visitors could have done without.