PARIS – Merci beaucoup, Paris.
When these Summer Games were awarded seven years ago, the officials of the International Olympic Committee could not have imagined how urgently they would be needed. How desperately the world would search for an excuse to escape the melancholy brought by the COVID pandemic. How important such an excuse would be to escape the division that seems to reign everywhere.
Paris delivered, setting a standard that future hosts will be hard-pressed to surpass.
For 17 days, the most beautiful city in the world was also the happiest. Impressive sporting achievements took place against the backdrop of landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Grand Palais. The stands, which were so eerily quiet at both the postponed Summer Games in Tokyo and the Winter Olympics in Beijing, were once again filled with loud fans.
People from all over the world met in the streets, cafes and subway stations. Hearing one’s own language or seeing one’s own flag on another person’s cheek was enough to start a conversation. People who would otherwise have maintained icy silence when it came to politics or social justice found common ground in the greatness of Simone Biles and Steph Curry, Leon Marchand and Rebeca Andrade.
And just weeks after an election that made even more visible the disturbing fractures that threaten France’s ideals of equality and fraternity, the people of France gathered to shout “Allez!” and sing the Marseillaise in unison.
“France is beautiful. And when we are all together and united, it is a wonderful sight,” said Thierry Henry, the hero of France’s famous 1998 World Cup team and now coach of the men’s Olympic football team, after Les Bleus lost to Spain in the final.
“People wanted to support us from the beginning,” Henry added. “We lost tonight, but they kept singing. They kept supporting us.”
The Paris Games were not perfect. Nothing is perfect when people are involved with their agendas, egos and greed.
The grand plan to clean up the Seine was not fully realized, although the triathlon and swimming marathon were held there anyway. Homeless people were evicted from the city center. Right-wing vigilantes took out their hatred on two boxers, ignoring facts and decency. The International Olympic Committee punished Jordan Chiles for the misconduct of gymnastics officials and stripped her of her bronze medal in floor exercise on the last day of the Games.
Still, when it comes to the Olympics, Paris came as close to perfection as it gets.
“Paris gave us a good time,” said A’ja Wilson after the U.S. women won their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal on Sunday night. “The hosts did well.”
The organizers’ decision to use existing venues and Paris landmarks as host venues was ingenious. Fans and athletes alike flocked to the beach volleyball and marveled at the sand court at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The park at Place de la Concorde was a magnet for spectators, both for its views and for the many sports that were played there.
Those who wanted to cross the Louvre off their bucket list were given the bonus of seeing the Cauldron in the Jardin des Tuileries, a balloon whose presence was made even more majestic by its daily ascent and descent.
One of the goals of the Paris organizers was to bring the sport to the people, and their success makes future hosts pale in comparison.
Since most of the events were held in the city and were close to an extensive and reliable rail system, the normally sprawling and unwieldy area was manageable. Wanted to try swimming, fencing, skateboarding and gymnastics? All on the same day? No problem! Didn’t have tickets? If you kept your eyes peeled while walking along the Seine, you might come across a cycling race.
“From the very beginning, we had a vision with Paris 2024: to organize sport in the city and to truly combine the emotions of sport with the emotions of our city, our landmarks and legendary venues,” said Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024, on Saturday.
“That’s probably what we’re most proud of. It was a vision from the beginning.”
But perhaps the best thing about these Games was the relaxed atmosphere. Fears of terrorism and excessive security were thankfully never realized. After the strict COVID restrictions in Tokyo and Beijing, athletes were excited to finally enjoy the full Olympic experience.
Wilson, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Scottie Scheffler were just a few of the athletes who witnessed Biles’ greatness in person. Biles was in the audience to watch Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone break her own world record in the 400-meter hurdles. LeBron James brought his wife and daughter to the women’s gold medal match.
And the spectators who haven’t been able to attend the Games since 2018 were just happy to be here. In person. They enjoyed the sport and the sights and everything in between.
“There are always things that could be improved and we had problems to solve day after day,” Estanguet said. “But if someone had told me 10 years ago, five years ago, a year ago or even on the eve of the opening ceremony that things would go this way, I would have immediately said, ‘Sign me up.'”
“I don’t regret anything,” he added. “Nothing at all.”
For everyone. Except perhaps for future hosts, who now have to meet an almost impossible standard thanks to these great games in Paris.
Follow USA TODAY sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The Paris Olympics were just what the world needed
