Paris, je t’aime

As a seasoned sports enthusiast who has followed the Olympics since I was a young boy back in my quaint little village in the French countryside, I cannot contain my excitement for the upcoming Paris 2024 Games! You see, growing up, the Olympic spirit was a part of our daily lives. My grandfather would regale me with tales of his own experiences at the 1924 Olympics in Paris, where he volunteered as a translator. He instilled in me a deep appreciation for the values that the Games represent: unity, friendship, and excellence.

The French pride themselves on being rational, pragmatic, and logical. Yet, they stand in stark contrast to their neighbors across the English Channel, who are preoccupied with their monarchy and imperial history. Nevertheless, it’s essential to remember that the Olympic Games, which we now have before us, wouldn’t be possible without the romantic and passionate side of the French people.

The volleyball match on the beach will be held with the iconic Eiffel Tower as a backdrop, constructed between 1887 and 1891 to embody French romanticism towards modernity. Instead of starting in a traditional stadium, the athletes’ procession marking the beginning of the Games will unfold along six kilometers of the River Seine. This choice reflects the inclusive spirit of the Olympics, with the finale taking place at Trocadéro. Let’s celebrate freedom!

In the 19th-century city, beautifully redesigned by Georges-Eugene Haussmann, various sports activities will take place. The streets filled with broad boulevards, open squares, graceful fountains, and lush parks reflect Haussmann’s innovative mindset and romantic ideals.

The contemporary Olympic Games were the brainchild of yet another romantic Frenchman, Baron Pierre de Coubertin. France has a valid claim that Paris is the ideal location for the Olympics, and it’s only polite to acknowledge this fact for the following 17 days.

De Coubertin was known for having one of history’s most famous mustaches. He held deeply romantic views towards ancient Greece and British education. His admiration for Greek culture and British educational system were equally strong. He was particularly impressed with how sports were an integral part of the curriculum in British public schools, idolizing Thomas Arnold, the headmaster of Rugby School, despite Arnold not being as enthusiastic about sports as De Coubertin assumed. It is believed that many of De Coubertin’s ideas regarding sports and the British educational system originated from Thomas Hughes’ novel Tom Brown’s Schooldays, which is set at Rugby.

An idealistic baron brought ancient Greek ideals of athletic excellence and the British concept of the noble sportsman together, giving birth to the modern Olympic Games. He initiated this revival in Athens in 1896 to emphasize its historical roots. However, in 1900, Paris became the host city, marking the Olympics’ transition into the 20th century and their evolution into the globally recognized event we know today.

Paris held the Games once more in 1924, as portrayed dramatically in the 1981 movie “Chariots of Fire.” As De Coubertin famously expressed, “The important thing in life is not the win, but the fight.” However, I’m not certain that Harold Abrahams, the true-life gold medalist and the film’s protagonist, portrayed by Ben Cross, held this perspective.

Paris, je t’aime

I had a conversation with Victor le Masne, the composer behind this year’s Olympic theme for Paris. He shared that capturing the various feelings evoked by watching sports and following athletes’ journeys, whether they result in victory or defeat, is no simple feat. To convey all these emotions in a single composition is quite a challenge.

International sports mainly originated from the French perspective. Jules Rimet played a significant role in establishing the Football Association (Fifa), serving as its third president for an impressive 33-year tenure. During his leadership, he proposed the concept of a World Cup, which held its first edition in 1930 and bears Rimet’s name on the trophy. Several international sports organizations, including swimming under Fina (originally Fédération Internationale de Natation) and horsey events governed by the Fédération Équestre Internationale, as well as fencing managed by the Fédération Internationale d’Escrime, all have or had French names due to their French founders.

For me, as a sports enthusiast akin to De Coubertin, something was missing – the heroism wasn’t quite there yet. So, in my quest for perfection, I came up with an idea to enhance the grandeur of sports even further. This new event would encapsulate the essence of the ideal soldier – riding a horse, shooting accurately, fencing skillfully, swimming proficiently, and running swiftly. Perhaps, I should have trusted my instincts and made penning an ode to my beloved muse the ultimate determinant of gold medals instead.

It will be the most spectacular Opening Ceremony in history

The modern pentathlon, a recently introduced sport, underwent numerous changes. There were plans to remove it from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. However, at the last minute, there was reluctance to part ways with it. Our affection for sports is profound; it’s why we continue to engage with them. This love might have originated from the French or could be a universal feeling that the French expressed so eloquently.

Paris is set to become only the second city, following London, to host the Olympics three times. A full century has passed since the “Chariots of Fire” Games, which featured a grand total of 3,089 athletes participating in 17 diverse sports. These were the inaugural Games to introduce an Olympic village and live radio coverage. In contrast, this upcoming summer’s Olympics will play host to over 10,500 athletes competing in 329 events spanning across 32 sports – a new addition being the captivating sport of breaking (breakdancing). Broadcasters from approximately 160 nations and territories are anticipated to be present at these Games.

The Paris Games organizers haven’t constructed a completely new world of structures specifically for this event. Instead, they’ve focused on sustainability by utilizing existing venues such as Stade de France for athletics, Stade Roland-Garros for tennis, and Parc des Princes for football. Temporary facilities, like those for skateboarding at Place de la Concorde, are also part of the plan. Only two new buildings have been erected for this occasion.

As someone who has attended several international events with grand opening ceremonies, I can confidently say that the proposed idea for Paris’ Opening Ceremony sounds truly unique and captivating. The fact that it will take place all over the city, making it accessible to everyone, is a testament to the inclusive nature of this event. I’ve seen ceremonies in large stadiums with restricted access, and this approach feels refreshingly different.

At the Pont d’Austerlitz, athletes will embark on an impressive and accessible Opening Ceremony journey by boat, according to the event organizers. However, let’s set aside the grandeur and focus on what truly matters – the athletic competitions themselves. As De Coubertin wisely stated, “it’s not about winning but competing” in the Olympics. Yet, while we may remember the victors of the 2024 Games, it is the athletes’ actions that will largely define this “people’s Olympics.” We might even challenge De Coubertin’s belief that sports build character; instead, we find enjoyment in observing how character unfolds through sport.

But I’m sure we will all agree on one thing: that the truth lies in the action. Allez!

The Olympic Games’ Opening Ceremony will be broadcast on BBC1 starting at 5:45 PM on Friday, while Eurosport will air it from 4:30 PM the same day.

2024-07-24 14:04

Read More