It took them a while to get going, due to the tension of the previous days, but the ripple effect spread quickly. Paris, France, has made history with unforgettable, fun Games, with picturesque venues, impressive opening and closing ceremonies, an enthusiasm not commonly seen in the city, and a new national monument: the Olympic cauldron. The Games were also peaceful and secure, with no issues.
"We, who have been living for over two weeks in a country where we felt the air was lighter, do not want life to return to normal," said French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, who met with some of the professionals involved in the sporting event.
Today was a day for taking stock, although the post-Olympic hangover will last for days. Macron said, "after these Games, there is nostalgia." "This is what we have experienced for two weeks in a country where we have seen that something has changed. This is the true face of France. For years, we were told it was not possible, that the ceremony could not be held, that security could not be guaranteed, that the Seine would not be suitable for swimming, that France could not win so many medals. Thank you for proving them wrong, you have done an incredible job," he said.
France finished fifth in the medal table (64 medals), and now has new heroes, like Léon Marchand and even Tony Estanguet, the president of Paris 2024 and in charge of the organization, who was cheered yesterday like a star at the Stade de France during the closing ceremony. The Olympic venues were full, with 10 million tickets sold and over three million people in the fan zones. These were the first gender-equal Games. "It has been an extraordinary success that has captivated the country, in terms of organization and security," according to Macron.
"None of this would have been possible without the entire sports movement," added the president, who had words of appreciation for the volunteers, athletes, and law enforcement, both domestic and foreign. He also thanked those responsible for organizing the opening and closing ceremonies. "We can be creative and rigorous, we can be completely crazy and good organizers. I want to thank the creativity of Thomas Jolly and Tony Estanguet," he said, referring to the artistic director in charge of the ceremonies.
There were doubts, especially regarding security, but 35,000 agents were mobilized every day to ensure there were no issues. "They made a great sacrifice for many days, giving up time with their families," he said. There were doubts about whether the water of the Seine would allow swimming events in the river. They were able to take place, and as of now, there are no athletes hospitalized.
There were concerns about transportation congestion, but there were no organizational problems. 45,000 volunteers from 200 countries helped make it possible. "There are things that the spectator did not see, and it is the work that made it possible to prevent any threats, allowing this popular unity in the streets. Thanks to the security and Interior services, which prevented the worst. A million administrative investigations have led to dismantling 100 attempts," the president said.
He sent a message of unity, as shown by France in these days: one of the "intangible legacies" of these Games. And he reminded everyone: the adventure continues, with the Paralympics starting at the end of August.