Beach volleyball at the Eiffel Tower Stadium (All photos: Reuters)
Paris 2024 was truly a moveable feast! The Champions’ Parade on the Champs-Élysées on Sept 14 proved a grand finale to the extraordinary Games where, for over a month, the city and millions of people around the world shared an unparalleled international enthusiasm and moved to the rhythm of the competitions.
Of course, for France, this Olympic summer was exceptional — first and foremost, in terms of sport. The return of the Games to Paris, a good century after the 1924 edition, created a momentum that motivated the French athletes to go for gold. And indeed they did! They won 64 medals (including 16 golds), and 75 more at the Paralympic Games (with 19 golds). This fervour was also felt all over the continent as the nations of the European Union shone equally brightly, winning 309 and 420 medals at the Olympics and Paralympics respectively, garnering a total gold tally of 97 and 126, far surpassing the US and China.
It was also an unforgettable season for France. As host, we were happy and proud to welcome the athletes and showcase our history, architecture and gastronomy, as evinced in the Olympic Village with Michelin-starred chef Akrame Benallal’s cuisine. Around the globe, spectators were dazzled by how iconic French landmarks were completely transformed for the Games: the arrival of the flame at the docks in Marseille, blind football at the feet of the Eiffel Tower, fencing at the Grand Palais, surfing the Teahupo’o wave in Tahiti and, of course, the opening ceremony along the Seine, which drew nearly 360,000 spectators and a billion TV viewers, are just among a few examples.
2024-09-06t191904z_956634222_up1ek961hnqjy_rtrmadp_3_paralympics-2024-wheelchairfencing.jpg
Among the delegations, France was especially proud to welcome the Malaysian team, which brought home five medals from the Paralympic Games, including two golds, and two bronzes from the Olympics. I must admit to how my heart was racing when Lee Zii Jia and Frenchman Toma Junior Popov traded point for point during their badminton singles match at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena. Lee won and got his first Olympic quarterfinal berth! The Malaysians, I must say, also stood out as a shining example to all for their spirit and relentless determination, as Youth and Sports Minister
Hannah Yeoh highlighted. It sent an impactful note to young people around the world: Never give up and achieve your dreams.
But the Games were not only about sports. It was also about delivering strong global messages. First, one of hope, exemplified by the refugee delegation, including women athletes from Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan and Syria — “a powerful symbol of hope and inclusion for the 120 million displaced people around the world”, as the International Olympic Committee stressed.
Then, another of inclusivity by welcoming athletes with disabilities. A message of parity, too, as this was the first edition to achieve gender equality between male and female competitors. Finally, the no less pertinent message of sustainability — carbon footprint for the Games was halved and 95% of the sports infrastructure being either pre-existing or temporary. In doing so, France hopes to set new standards for major international sporting events that are iconic and popular yet responsible. This is an ambition future Olympic hosts should share.
2024-09-14t185155z_885570103_rc2i0aat5ptc_rtrmadp_3_olympics-2024-parade_1.jpg
There were many challenges to overcome, however, and nothing would have been possible without the collective commitment of the French people, from decision-makers to volunteers, and without seven years of hard work across all sectors. Security, in particular, was a top priority. Every potential threat, including terrorism and cyberattacks, was addressed. Meticulous planning and large-scale security measures ensured that, from the flame’s arrival on May 8 to the Champions’ Parade, all events were conducted safely.
France also tackled disinformation, identifying 43 hostile informational manoeuvres from April 2023 to September 2024, aimed at undermining the Olympic events or spreading a distorted image of Paris. This campaign failed, proving once again that the best response to disinformation lies in the freedom of the press and professional journalism.
The success of the Paris Olympics, the enthusiasm it sparked and the shared joy and emotions across the world remind us that when we unite in our diversity, we can find common ground and achieve remarkable things. This is the most profound and beautiful legacy we hope these Games will leave behind.
But the celebration is not over. If sports (and cinema) fans can say, “We’ll always have Paris”, then the city and the whole of France remain open to all! We warmly invite you to visit, or visit anew, especially with Malaysian Airlines offering direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Paris soon!
Now, as the City of Light passes the torch to the City of Angels, we wish Los Angeles the best of success and we are excitedly waiting for the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad.
HE Axel Cruau is the Ambassador of France to Malaysia.
This article first appeared on Sept 30, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
