These French people who manage to follow the Paris 2024 Olympics, even at work

On the phone, by secretly listening, or even directly on the bar’s television: the workers find ways to watch the tests anyway.

Even for those who are not on vacation, it is difficult to resist enjoying the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. How to follow the events when you are at work? Everyone has their own system.

At the foot of her company, Margaux is on a break. Even when she is at the office, of course she follows the Olympics: “I turn on France TV and listen with my headphones while I work.” This HR manager opens her app, unnoticed, on her phone. “I go live and it’s like I’m listening to a podcast.”she comments.

His colleague Anthony actually installs a computer in his department: “If we can, we watch the tests as soon as we have a little time, it also helps to create a little atmosphere in the office.” A little further on, Seddik is waiting for customers in his taxi. His technique: following the Games “listening to the radio”.

“As soon as a French person wins a medal, we ring the bell!”

Éloi, manager of a Parisian bar

to franceinfo

Across the street in a sports bar, Denis, the boss, is in the middle of a meeting: “We sat at our most beautiful table, the oval table, the symbol of our bar. We found ourselves there and we sat in front of the television to watch the Olympics.”But do employees also have the right to watch television to enjoy French exploits? “It depends on the number of customers, Eloi answers, one of the bar managers. The more work we have, the less we watch, but the less we have, the more we watch. At the moment, we are managing to keep up a little bit and that is what is most important.” A special bell was even installed in the bar: “As soon as a French person wins a medal, we ring the bell. It helps to create a bit of atmosphere!”

Some employers are a little more careful, like Vincent, a newspaper seller: “No, it’s forbidden. Even in secret, we’re not allowed. During the day, work is work.” He doesn’t think it’s very fair to his customers. He finishes work at 7pm; at 7:03pm he starts the replay of the tests, before watching the evening’s tests at home.