Sports Media Report
by Sarah Katz
Day 1
From the moment my mom and I arrived in Paris, there was a sense of excitement in the air. The airport was lined with decorations, and volunteers were everywhere willing and eager to help. In what was expected to be a jam-packed Paris, I found, from the beginning, not to be crowded and very easy to navigate, especially as a New Yorker.
After settling in from my journey, I was immediately off to my first event, swimming. A fan favorite at the Olympics, this session had several events including semi-finals and finals. As I entered the arena, echoes of “Allez le Bleus” reached every corner of the venue. Fans draped with their country’s flags and colors were beaming with the pride of their nation. The dominating country in the stands was not surprisingly France, the home country, however wherever you turned there was a bundle of American fans hoping for gold.
On the swimming docket, were some of the main events featuring the brightest stars in Paris, including budding French legend Leon Marchand competing in the Men’s 200m Breaststroke semi-finals. Among the finals I saw was the women’s 100m backstroke where two Americans made the podium. With just over half a second separating the top swimmers, world record holder Reagan Smith and Katharine Berkoff placed second and third respectively and Australian Kaylee McKeown got the gold, securing a new Olympic record time.
With two more medal races to go, we were excited in what was already an incredible atmosphere. In the Men’s 800m, Irishman Daniel Wiffen set another Olympic record, smashing the previous record by over three seconds. In the last medal race we saw, the US got the silver in the Men’s 4x200m Relay, with Great Britain becoming back-to-back gold medalists.
After seeing everyone beaming with pride and support for their country, the passion transferred to us. Immediately after leaving the arena, we walked to a newsstand, bursting with patriotism, and bought an American flag to show our pride.
Day 2
After a very eventful first day, I woke up with excitement as we were set to travel to Marseille, France to watch the US Women’s Soccer Team play in their last group game against Australia. However, as travel and vacation tend to go, not everything goes your way. After arriving at the train station, we were quickly stopped in our tracks, literally. All the southbound trains were delayed due to heavy thunderstorms overnight, with a tree falling on a train while on the tracks. After three and a half hours of waiting, our fate was decided. The train was canceled and there was no other way to make it to Marseille in time for the game. As disappointing as that was, it gave us the opportunity to walk around Paris and see all the city was offering for the Olympics.
The first stop was, of course, the Eiffel Tower. Fitted with the Olympic rings, the tower has become the centerpiece of the games. Many people lined up to take a picture with the newly outfitted tower which combines the symbol of Paris and the Olympics into one.
The next stop was the Olympic flame cauldron in the Jardin des Tuileries. We chose not to get tickets to go up close to the flame, however the view from the distance was equally as interesting having been designed to look like a hot air balloon. The final stop was Hotel de Ville, Paris City Hall, one of 18 fan zones throughout the city. With the beautiful building as a backdrop, fans from all over the world gathered to support their athletes in the many events being televised. At any given time two or three different sports were being shown, highlighting various countries. In addition to the video boards to watch the games, there were more interactive sections, where people could play basketball, soccer, and even try boxing. While I was too tired to try anything, it was really fun to see people who did not speak the same language interact with each other through sport.
There was one more event in store for tonight, watching the US Women’s soccer team play in their last group match against Australia. As we were not able to make it to Marseille, we found the next best option: The Moose, an American sports bar in the heart of Paris. We arrived over 30 minutes before kick-off, yet the bar was already filled with Americans as well as Aussie fans hoping to see their team win. The best part about the Moose was mingling with fellow Americans who made the trek to Paris. Seated next to us were two different couples that also intended to go to the game on the same train as us and faced the same unfortunate destiny. It felt like an extension of the game itself as we were all supposed to be there. Thankfully, the night ended with a win as the US beat Australia to top the group.
Day 3
Today we had one of the most popular and anticipated events for the whole Olympics: the Women’s All-Around gymnastics final. With the likelihood of this being Simone Biles’s last Olympics, it was set to be an incredible meet. As the event was at 6:45pm, we had the whole day to explore the city even more. We first stopped at the Arc de Triomphe, which was graced with the Paralympic logo. Although a quick stop, it was good to see the Paralympics represented on one of Paris’ most iconic monuments.
Nearby, was the Samsung Olympic Experience pop-up, showcasing the innovation Samsung is using not just at the Olympics, but for the future. Along with learning about the progress they are making, they had a “scavenger hunt”, where fans can earn Samsung x Olympics pins. Immediately after receiving the pins, people were asking to trade, a staple occurrence at Olympic games. Through the trading we were able to get pins from other countries and giving us great keepsakes from the trip
When it was finally time for gymnastics, we made our way over to Bercy Arena. Immediately as we walked towards the entrance wearing Team USA shirts with red, white, and blue accessories, feeling more patriotic than on the Fourth of July, we were stopped by a news outlet for what I assumed to be a TikTok video. As a person constantly consumed by TikTok, seeing interviews of people on the street we of course, said yes. Questions revolved around the greatness of Simone Biles and why she is so inspiring. Sadly, I have not been able to find the video, with my path to TikTok stardom being delayed even longer.
In the introduction of the athletes, the cheers stayed steady until Simone Biles came out; when everyone, no matter what country they supported, recognized her greatness and perseverance in the sport giving her a standing ovation. One of the best parts of the All-Around competition was not just watching the best of the best, but seeing emerging stars who could break out once Simone Biles hangs up her leotard. This became evident through the first three rotations where Italian, Alice D’Amato and Algerian, Kaylia Nemour were excelling and putting themselves in the position to medal. As an American, of course, I was rooting for Suni Lee who had to endure so much just to make it back to the Olympics and was able to stay in the medal conversation throughout the first three rotations. It all came down to the floor routines to decide the medals.
Suni Lee and Rebeca Andrade both nailed their routines and put up good scores; however, Simone Biles was the last gymnast to go. Watching her from across the arena, she was locked in. After executing her entire routine, the whole stadium dropped to a whisper waiting for the judges to post her scores. After what felt like an eternity, the results were in, a whopping 15.066 not only clinching gold for herself but creating a podium of now three 2-time All-Around medalist with Andrade repeating her silver title from Tokyo and Lee clinching Bronze.
Hearing the National Anthem was one of the best parts of the night. The Star-Spangled Banner echoed through the arena for not just Simone Biles, but Suni Lee, both of whom had to overcome mental and physical hardships and to see them on the podium was extremely inspiring. Two people who represent the American way and the strength and grit US athletes have. Once the scores were released, I had a smile that just could not be wiped off my face. Seeing the greatest gymnast of all time win was an experience I will never forget.
Day 4
After such an exciting night, we were off to diving, one of my favorite Olympic sports to watch. We were going to see the Men’s 3-meter Springboard finals, with the American group possibly fighting for a medal. While it was a trek to get to the arena, it was well worth it. After getting to our seats, I looked up and really processed how high the 10-meter platform is and the bravery and mental strength needed to not only step onto the platform but execute incredibly difficult dives. Thankfully, we were only watching the 3-meter springboard which kept my anxiety at low levels.
While each team of divers perform six dives, the competition moves pretty quickly as each country goes right after the other. The Chinese were totally dominant, executing dives with extremely high difficulty. It was incredible to watch. I was simply amazed by their ability to stay completely in sync while creating little to no splash when entering the water. While the Chinese took gold, Mexico, the eventual silver medalist, gave them little room to breathe. Unfortunately, the American duo faltered early in their round 2 dive and were never able to recover, placing 8th.
Not only did the Mexican divers perform incredibly well, but the atmosphere in the stands was very high energy. The Mexican fans came out in full swing, singing and cheering hard for their country, who typically are not top divers. Their passion was undeniable and inspired fans from other countries to cheer harder. Also, in the stands were of course, the French fans who flocked to the arenas for every sport with the chants of Allez le Bleus nonstop. Donning massive cardboard cutouts of the divers and megaphones, it was hard to deny the power of the French supporters.
Day 5
Today was another exciting day as we saw the Women’s Soccer quarterfinal featuring the USA and Japan. With two heavyweights of the sport, it was set to be a thrilling and nerve-racking game.
Since we couldn’t make it to Marseille, it was super exciting to finally have a chance to watch the US women play in person. As we stopped for lunch by the stadium, we saw giant herds of fans flocking to the stadium every time another train arrived. It was truly incredible to see the amount of support for women’s soccer, which is not as appreciated as it should be. With a capacity of over 48,000, the game was sure to be a sold-out crowd.
The game itself was a constant back and forth match, with each team having their fair share of chances to score. It was really thrilling to see such a high-stakes game that continually put us on the edge of our seats. With the USA’s star-studded line-up and Japan’s lockdown defense, nobody was able to find a breakthrough. Even with the added stress of extra time, I was enthralled. We got 30 more minutes of soccer with the players putting every last ounce of energy into the game. In the 105th minute with a piece of magic from winger Trinity Rodman, she curled the ball into the top corner of the net and put the US on top. They closed out extra time and got the 1-0 win!
The support of American soccer fans is incredible. The game looked as if it was being played in the United States with red, white, and blue engulfing the stadium. Still, despite a strong contingent of Japanese supporters, the Americans dominated the stands, creating an empowering atmosphere for the US team to fight through fatigue and win. As an avid US soccer fan, it was amazing to see this team push through adversity and succeed with a new coach who only took charge on June 1st. Leaving the stadium, chants of “USA!” continued and echoed until the last fan left.
Day 6
Today was our second-to-last day in Paris but it was still packed with events. First was Athletics (Track and Field) and with the events just ramping up, we got to see a lot of heats and semifinals. Second on the agenda was gymnastics for the men’s and women’s apparatus finals.
During the Athletics events, there was always something to watch. The Men’s Long Jump heats were happening in one corner, Women’s Hammer Throw heats taking up the center field, and a plethora of track events happening every ten minutes. Even while the track races were happening, other athletes continued to compete in their events. When you watch Athletics on TV, they never show how each event is so quickly set up and taken down. Being in the stadium, we were able to see how efficiently each track race gets set up depending on the distance or equipment being used.
Track, for me, was the most exciting. We were able to see several top athletes compete for a spot in the next round for each event, including eventual American gold medalist Gabby Thomas in the 200m, as she comfortably took first place in her heat. Another top American competing was Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, reigning gold medalist and world record holder in the 400m hurdles.
McLaughlin-Levrone sailed to victory in her heat, winning by about two seconds, when most races are decided by a fraction of a second. Watching the ease with which she performs is incredible. She glides over the hurdles and runs so elegantly that she looks like she’s not even trying.
The crowd also played a big factor, creating a fun and high-stakes atmosphere. With so many countries represented in Athletics, the stands were filled with flags from all over the world, a diversity that not many other events have. Of course, the French contingent dominated the cheering, erupting in applause when each French athlete was announced. Athletes also play into the crowd’s energy with the slow clap gesture getting the whole stadium going. After leaving a bit early to avoid a traffic jam of nearly 80,000 fans leaving Stade de France, we headed back to a familiar arena hoping to see another American take gold.
The gymnastics finals were split up into three days with today featuring Men’s Rings, Men’s Vault, and Women’s Uneven Bars. Sadly, no American male gymnast made any event finals leaving us to cheer for a good overall competition. The Men’s Rings event was like watching real feats of strength. Having the power and stability to execute handstands and flips while staying completely still left us unable to look away.
Women’s Uneven Bars proved to be the best event, with several gymnasts nailing their routines. The standout gymnast was Kaylia Nemour who deservingly got gold. Her routine had an incredibly high degree of difficulty and was mesmerizing to watch. She performed with elegance and was easily one of the best routines I saw in Paris. Chinese gymnast Qiu Qiyuan, also executed her routine perfectly, landing her the silver medal. Rounding out the podium was American Suni Lee, who excels on bars. American fans were quick to support her, the only American competing this day. She came and excelled at these Olympics, winning her third medal on uneven bars.
Day 7
In store for the morning was over 4 hours of gymnastics. Who could say no? The last of the three finals featured Women’s Beam, Men’s High Bar, Women’s Floor, and Men’s Parallel bars. Something was circulating in the arena today because everyone seemed to be falling in each event. In both men’s high bar and parallel bars almost half of the athletes fell or had a heavy stumble.
Both women’s competitions created fierce controversy and gymnasts fought for the podium. In the beam final it was not only shocking but uncharacteristic for many of the athletes. The gymnasts who make each event final are the best of the best, yet only three managed to stay on without a major stumble or fall off the beam. Among those who struggled were Simone Biles and Suni Lee. I cannot describe the level of shock the whole arena felt when both US medal contenders fell. There was a collective gasp when everyone realized that the podium race was wide open.
Our section had a strong Brazilian contingent who were passionately rooting for Rebeca Andrade. They were drenched in yellow and green attempting to drown out the loud American cheers. Andrade gave a strong performance on the beam, giving the Brazilians something to cheer for as she had a good case for a medal. To everyone’s surprise, she placed fourth. You could hear a pin drop as three relatively unknown gymnasts secured their spots on the podium.
The Women’s Floor event had some mishaps with Simone Biles stepping out of bounds twice. However, that was not the standout moment of the event. Jordan Chiles stuck her whole routine and as the last gymnast, was nervously awaiting her score. Her posted score placed her in 5th. We were able to see the disappointment on her face. We looked around in bewilderment, wondering how she could have received such a low score. Quickly, we noticed the score was being challenged, a common occurrence, and with daunting music playing in the background the American-dominated crowd suddenly erupted in cheer. The judges improved her score just enough to slide into 3rd place for the bronze. The whole arena lit up in excitement for her as she won her first individual medal.
The podium ceremony was nothing short of iconic. In a historically white sport, it was the first podium consisting of three black athletes. As Chiles and Biles bowed down to gold medalist Rebeca Andrade, it was great recognizing great, showing the immense respect they have for each other. Being able to experience this piece of history in person was amazing and it does not come by often. A legendary way to end the historic gymnastics competition.
This week in Paris was truly an incredible and unforgettable experience. Watching athletes from all over the world compete under such high pressure is breathtaking. Seeing them perform in person showed us how difficult it is to just make the Olympics and the grind it takes to get there. As it does every four years, I was inspired to become an Olympian. While those dreams will die out in a few weeks, what I got to experience will stay with me. Walking in the city, you could not go one block without seeing a fan in a jersey or wrapped in their country’s flag. The games had consumed Parisian culture and transformed the city into a global hub.
The experience went way beyond just watching sports. It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity being able to interact with people from all corners of the globe. The Olympics connect the world in a way that only happens every four years and If you have the chance to go to the Olympics, do it. It is worth every minute.
