The Olympics Needed a Refresh, and Paris Delivered

PARIS FRANCE – The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris provided a much-needed reset for the Games, offering a unique blend of competition and cultural flair that only Paris could deliver.

The Olympic cauldron in Paris stood out, taking the form of a hot-air balloon that ascended nightly above the Jardin des Tuileries. This garden, the largest in the city, is framed by the Louvre, the Seine, and the Rue de Rivoli, with the Champs-Élysées just a short walk away. It was a fitting backdrop for an event that required a reinvigoration.

Paris delivered the reset the Olympics needed, both in terms of competition and atmosphere. The star athletes were impressive—Leon Marchand, Stephen Curry, Simone Biles, Summer McIntosh, Gabby Thomas, and Katie Ledecky—but the city itself was the true standout, providing a stage like no other. From beach volleyball near iconic monuments to fencing in palatial settings and equestrian events in the gardens of a 17th-century chateau, Paris did it all.

As Los Angeles prepares to host the next Summer Olympics, it faces the challenge of living up to Paris’s example. According to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, “Each Olympic Games has to be authentic, has to be creative, and has to show the culture of the host country, the host city, and to be open to sharing this with the world.” Paris fulfilled this vision perfectly.

Reflecting on recent Olympics, the contrast is stark. Tokyo and Beijing, the most recent hosts, faced challenges that were not athletic but rather emotional and aesthetic. The pandemic forced Tokyo to delay its Games by a year and hold events without spectators, creating a lackluster atmosphere. Beijing’s 2022 Winter Games, set against the backdrop of strict pandemic protocols and isolation, felt similarly constrained.

Even earlier Games faced issues. PyeongChang in 2018 felt disconnected, Rio de Janeiro in 2016 dealt with significant social displacement, and Sochi in 2014 was seen as an authoritarian vanity project. Against this history, Paris shone brightly.

The venues in Paris were full and vibrant, with audiences passionately cheering for athletes like Marchand. Such moments, like the entire crowd at La Defense Arena singing “La Marseillaise” as Marchand secured one of his four swimming golds, underscored the emotional power of the Games.

The Paris Olympics also marked a turning point in the COVID-19 era. American sprinter Noah Lyles, who won bronze in the 200 meters while unknowingly competing with COVID-19, symbolized the endurance of athletes in the face of ongoing challenges. “I don’t care,” said silver medalist Kenny Bednarek when asked about Lyles’s illness, reflecting a broader acceptance of living with the virus.

The Games were not without controversy. Eleven Chinese swimmers participated despite positive tests for banned substances before the Tokyo Games, drawing criticism from the IOC directed at the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. The gender identity of female boxers Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu Ting of Taiwan was questioned, though both athletes triumphed with gold medals.

Despite these issues, Paris and its people managed to keep the Games on track. Hosting the Olympics is a complex task, often shaped by the interests of NBC, the American broadcaster, rather than the host city’s needs. However, Paris set a modern standard for future Olympics with its dynamic spirit and organizational success.

The Olympics are often elevated by the athletes’ performances, regardless of the controversies. In Paris, the combination of talented athletes and the city’s inspirational setting created a perfect synergy that may not be replicated.

This article was adapted from Barry Svrluga’s column for The Washington Post.