In Versailles, the equestrian public suffered from the rain for the first event of the Olympic event

The continuous rainfall on Saturday during the dressage discouraged some of the spectators, despite the beautiful spectacle offered in the castle park.

“Don’t let this damn rain get you down”encourages the speaker into the microphone. Versailles (Yvelines) hosts its first Olympic event in equestrian sports, Saturday July 27, with the dressage of the eventing competition, in weather just as capricious as during the opening ceremony. The rain streams down the faces in the stands of the temporary arena built opposite the castle of the Sun King, while the riders perform the figures.

The event was not postponed, unlike skateboarding, but the rain spoiled the fun for some of the public. “It’s a sport that deserves the sun”breathes a volunteer. “We are disgusted, we are disappointed for the spectators”adds a site manager, who is worried about the mud for the next few days.

Getting to the Olympic site is a work in progress. Depending on where you enter the castle grounds, it can sometimes take up to 45 minutes to walk. By the end of the day, the paths turn into a paddling pool. One American tourist even gets swept away in an epic slide. “It’s humid, it spoils the show a bit. It’s not very pleasant under the umbrellas.”regrets Sylvie. In the press stands deserted by journalists, soaked tarpaulins protect the equipment.

At the official store, a spectator desperately searches for something to protect him from the elements. “Rain ponchos?” “No, we don’t have any.”the salesman replies. Anaëlle and Guillaume, both 20 years old, come out of the stands soaked and in T-shirts. “We thought it would be nice, but no”smiles the young woman, who got up at 5 o’clock to come from Yonne. Unlike others, she prefers to see the glass as half full: “The rain is not very comfortable, but it was still very good.”

“It was very beautiful, very elegant. The place is magnificent. But we are soaked, otherwise we would have stayed”explains Isaine. The discouraged spectators leave in dribs and drabs, leaving the stands half empty by mid-afternoon. A small group of friends just went out to take shelter, long enough to watch the French team’s rugby 7s semi-final. “We got the wrong ticket, laughs one of them. We thought they would have put a screen on the site so we could follow the other sports.”

In the alleys of the castle park, departures towards the RER C are increasing, even before the entry into the competition of the French rider Nicolas Touzaint. “It was too beautiful, it was sumptuous”rejoices a spectator as she leaves. “The rain dampens the hype a bit. Even for the athletes, it must not be pleasant. And we cannot reward them with our applause as we would like.”regrets Matthieu. Despite the whims of the sky, everyone praises the quality of the organization on the Olympic site. “We didn’t feel the crowd, it’s very fluid. There’s just an organizational problem for the catering”estimate Laurent and Sylviane, from Brittany.

In the centre of Versailles, people also regret this rainy start to the competition. The France club, located in the town’s former post office, welcomes the public every day for free from noon to midnight during the Games, with a catering area and a fan zone with a giant screen. But on Friday evening, the screen broke down at 9:30 p.m. during the opening ceremony, “because of the rain”says the co-manager of the Sept Lieux restaurant. Not enough to dampen the enthusiasm of the mayor of Versailles. “Overall, there is a great dynamism for the city thanks to the Olympic Games, it gives an exceptional image internationally”rejoices François de Mazières.

In addition to the equestrian events, the city will also host the road cycling events and part of the marathon course. Events that will result in severe travel restrictions. “It’s an extraordinary event. We accept the small traffic constraints”says Carine, very happy to see her city host the Games. Versailles took advantage of these Olympic Games to proceed with the “transformation of the equestrian center” and the demolition of the Saint-Cyr mill to redevelop the space. “It will really be a beautiful legacy for us”believes François de Mazières.