As a French speaker I do read and watch the news in French from Brussels. I noticed that the Olympics had become a controversial topic in Paris.
French media initially pessimistic
French people were laughing at the idea that the 2024 Olympics would be a success for a few reasons. Rubbish collectors and airport workers were threatening to go on strike during the Olympics and the tickets for the metro were going to double in price. The cleanliness of the Seine river was also contributing to the lack of optimism for the success of the Paris Olympics. The public was certainly questioning the logistics around the Olympics.
Personally, I don’t usually follow the Olympics, but I was willing to watch the games for once because I was gifted a ticket. I was lucky enough to attend some athletics events for a day. I didn’t know what to expect at first because the media had rendered me pessimistic about the Olympics. Little did I know that it would go on to be one of the best events that I have ever been to.
Olympic expectations exceeded
The trains and metros were always on time. There were security officers and police officers in every station and in the streets every corner you turned there was a police officer. I’ve never felt so safe in my life in any other city which felt strange. So, before I got to the venue, I already got a sense of the effort and work that was put into organising the Olympics.
Once I got to the stadium, I felt the atmosphere buzzing with excitement. The stadium was packed with fans cheering on for the athletes. The crowds roared whenever an athlete performed well but they would also clap for the athletes who came last in races. There was a real sense of respect and admiration between the
Hats off to the organisers
What the media and the public predicted about the Olympics never happened. Every aspect about the Olympics was well planned. Every service seemed to work perfectly, from transport, to safety or to restaurants. Paris can be proud of the 2024 Olympics it definitely was a success (except for the dirty river in which triathlon athletes had to swim in). Hats off to the organisers !
Editor’s note. Max is 18 and has just done his baccalaureate in Brussels. See also a letter from his brother (aged 15) who describes attending the 100m running and the long jump.
