Through observations, winks and anecdotes, the Carnets de Paris immerse you in the heart of the Olympic Games.
“I paid top dollar, 160 euros to be here,” says a spectator who came to watch the soccer final between France and Spain for the gold medal. “I queued here this morning at 7:45 hoping to get tickets,” says another “Bleus” fan. These testimonies were not collected at the Parc des Princes, where the final was being played, but at Club France, the Olympic home of the host nation.
The Olympic Games in Paris are experienced in the stadiums, but supporters of the French teams who do not have tickets to attend the Olympic events can also gather in this huge temporary installation erected in the Parc de la Villette to experience the frenzy. “Allez les Bleus”, “Qui ne saute pas n’est pas Français”, “Les Français allez, allez”, the chants and shouts followed one another among the hundreds of spectators gathered inside. Another screen was also installed outside the Club France, in an adjacent “fan zone”.
The game was a thrilling one. At the end of the second half, Thierry Henry’s team equalized in a penalty shootout, making the score 3-3. Spain then scored two goals in extra time to secure the gold medal.
Despite the disappointment of a silver medal, the crowd was enthusiastic. “I wanted to share this final with all the French. There is a very good atmosphere,” said Naji Ahmadi, who considers that the evening was worth every one of the 160 euros invested.
Every day, Club France broadcasts the events involving their athletes. But these same athletes, once they have a medal around their neck, come and strut in front of their supporters. And the party then continues until 2 a.m. with musical performances and DJs. “The Olympic Games at home, it’s once in our lives!” says Xavier Leroy after more than twelve hours of watching the day’s various competitions.
The French made themselves heard in the various stadiums during the Games, but they sometimes had to shout louder than the Americans or the Dutch, but at Club France, the microphone is theirs. “There is such enthusiasm, such fervor with these Olympic Games that [seul] “At home it was sadder,” says Naji Ahmadi.
A few hours before the closing ceremony, the fans are enjoying every moment. With its organization that delights tourists, but especially the French, the organization of Paris 2024 has set the bar high for the city of Los Angeles, which will host the Summer Olympics in 2028.
This report was financed with the support of the Transat International Journalism Fund-
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