The day after the closing ceremony, the excitement experienced during the Olympic fortnight begins to wane. Here are some suggestions to extend the joy.
The feelings of sadness, nostalgia, or post-event letdown are palpable this Monday, August 12. The Paris 2024 Olympic Games captivated a significant portion of the nation, synchronized with thrilling performances as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. Now that the event has concluded, here are some tips to sustain these emotions for a few more days.
1 Engage with the Women’s Tour de France and the Paralympic Games
For fans who immersed themselves in the excitement of records and Olympic victories over the past 15 days, the return to routine may feel jarring. Fortunately, two upcoming sporting events promise to deliver fresh emotions, beginning Monday with the first stage of the women’s Tour de France. “Participating in the women’s Tour de France will be beneficial for everyone, preventing us from feeling like sports orphans.”The event’s director, Marion Rousse, expressed her enthusiasm. The third edition of this race runs until Sunday, culminating in the challenging heights of Alpe d’Huez.
France will continue to celebrate sports achievements with the Paralympic Games. From the opening ceremony on August 28 to the closing ceremony on September 8, 4,400 athletes from around the globe will compete in 549 events. “We’re in for an incredible follow-up event,” predicted Michaël Aloïsio, the deputy general director and spokesperson for Paris 2024, on franceinfo TV.
In addition to the anticipated athletic spectacles, the Paralympic Games also offer a chance for those who missed the Olympics to visit sixteen of the 25 stunning competition venues, including the Palace of Versailles and the Grand Palais. More than a million tickets remain available, as reported by the organizers. Michaël Aloïsio boasts of “affordable prices,” including “15 euros to attend an event at the Stade de France.” There’s plenty to keep you occupied until the school year begins.
2 Explore the History of the Olympic Games through Exhibitions
Few museums have refrained from riding the Olympic wave. Mainly in Paris, the town hall’s website lists no fewer than eight exhibitions dedicated to the Games, most open until September. Connections between women and sports are explored at the Louis Lumière Sports Center in the 20th arrondissement and at the François-Mitterrand Library (BNF) in the 13th arrondissement, while urban sports are highlighted at SPOT24 in the 15th arrondissement. The Marmottan Monet museum showcases 150 paintings from impressionists to cubists who celebrated athletes throughout the last century.
Additionally, how could one overlook the black and white photographs of athletes by Raymond Depardon taken in the streets of the capital? The “Instants de Jeux” tour pays tribute to the renowned photographer, who witnessed historic moments across four Olympics. The work of his son, Simon Depardon, is also displayed in color.
Across France, numerous retrospectives focusing on the Olympic Games can also be discovered. For instance, “Champion! A Popular History of Sport” at the Municipal Archives of Marseille delves deeper into the sporting history of the Phocaean city. The European archaeological site of Bliesbruck-Reinheim, straddling France and Germany, showcases “The Origins of the Games.” Finally, the submarine base of Saint-Nazaire (Loire-Atlantique) offers opportunities to engage in tennis, basketball, or rifle shooting over an expansive area of more than 1,000 square meters.
3 Dance to the Playlists from the Opening and Closing Ceremonies
The closing ceremony concluded with a stunning rendition of “My Way” by singer Yseult. Before this emotional finale, the band Phoenix ignited the Stade de France, joined by Angèle, Kavinsky, and Air. However, these are not the only memorable musical performances from Paris 2024: the official anthem and the musical sequence from the opening ceremony are sure to remain etched in memory.
Playlists attempting to compile these moments have been shared on various platforms by fans eager to relive – time and again if they choose – these magical instances. While waiting for the official release, the composer of this anthology soundtrack, Victor Le Masne, hinted that exclusive performances by Lady Gaga, Aya Nakamura, and Céline Dion will be made available soon. “That’s the plan, but I can’t reveal when,” he mentioned to RMC.
4 Watch Documentaries about the Lives of Olympic Athletes
Several streaming platforms have capitalized on the moment, allowing viewers to delve into the lives of the athletes who made a mark during this fortnight. Netflix features a two-episode portrait of Simone Biles, who leaves Paris with three new gold medals, sharing insights into the significance of mental preparation for elite athletes. Similarly, Canal+ dedicates an episode to pole vaulting champion Armand Duplantis. Also available on this channel are documentaries on Marie-José Pérec and the iconic Teddy Riner.
On France Télévisions, the series Champion(s) chronicles, over four seasons, the journeys of young athletes, from Tokyo to Paris 2024. Bronze medalist judoka Shirine Boukli, Olympic vice-champion sabre fencer Sara Balzer, and hurdler Sasha Zhoya feature in special segments filmed at Insep with their loved ones. The documentary series At the Heart of the Games, with two episodes scheduled after the Paralympics, will also help keep the excitement alive.
5 Embrace a New Sporting Challenge
After hours spent watching 329 events across 32 sports, the urge to emulate beloved champions may arise, potentially inspiring new careers. Even before table tennis player Félix Lebrun brought home two medals, the excitement surrounding his and his brother’s careers had already resulted in a surge of new licensees. “In terms of licenses, we are significantly ahead of 2019, the last year before Covid,” stated Gilles Erb, president of the French Table Tennis Federation (FFTT), in March during an interview with franceinfo.
Table tennis, along with judo, basketball, rugby sevens, kayaking, and mountain biking federations, could all benefit from this Olympic effect by attracting new enthusiasts during the typical registration period at the beginning of the school year. Moreover, the 40,000 participants in the Marathon for All likely inspired others by sharing their athletic achievements. This aligns with one of the goals set by the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, as its president, David Lappartient, stated before the Olympic Games: “Our ambition is to make France an even more sports-oriented nation and to achieve an impact.”
The Olympic Afterglow: Prolonging the Joy Beyond the Games
The day after the closing ceremony, the euphoria of the Olympic Games can quickly turn into a sense of nostalgia. The excitement that swept through Paris and captivated fans around the globe is inevitably beginning to fade. However, instead of succumbing to the post-Olympic blues, there are various ways to keep the Olympic spirit alive. Here are some engaging suggestions to extend those exhilarating emotions well beyond the conclusion of the Games.
1 Vibrate with the Women’s Tour de France and the Paralympic Games
For dedicated sports fans who thrived during the Olympics, returning to everyday life can feel abrupt. Fortunately, there are still notable sporting events to embrace! Kicking off with the Women’s Tour de France, starting on Monday, the race offers fresh thrills. Roland Rousse, the director of the women’s Tour de France, emphasizes the joy of participation, stating, “It will do everyone good to branch out into the women’s Tour de France, to not be a sporting orphan.”
This exhilarating race runs until Sunday, culminating at the strenuous heights of Alpe d’Huez. Additionally, France’s pulse continues to beat with the upcoming Paralympic Games, scheduled from August 28 to September 8, featuring around 4,400 athletes competing across 549 events. Michaël Aloïsio, the deputy general director for Paris 2024, couldn’t contain his optimism, declaring, “We’re going to have a wonderful return match.”
For those who missed the Olympics, the Paralympics offer a grand opportunity to witness breathtaking events at iconic venues such as the Palace of Versailles and Grand Palais. Over a million tickets remain on sale, with prices starting as low as 15 euros. This is an exciting opportunity to experience elite sports up close until the school year begins.
2 Become an Expert on Olympic Games History Through Exhibitions
Numerous museums across France have embraced the Olympic fervor, with many dedicated exhibitions ready to explore. The Paris town hall’s website highlights at least eight exhibitions celebrating the Games, many operational until September. The Louis Lumière Sports Center in the 20th arrondissement and the François-Mitterrand Library delve into the relationship between women and sports, while SPOT24 in the 15th arrondissement will shine a light on urban sports.
The Marmottan Monet Museum showcases 150 pieces of artwork by renowned artists who celebrated sport through their lens in the past century. Furthermore, the “Instants de Jeux” tour pays homage to exemplary athletes captured by well-known photographer Raymond Depardon, along with work by Simon Depardon.
Across the nation, many exhibitions explore Olympic themes, such as “Champion! A popular history of sport” at the Municipal Archives in Marseille, while the European archaeological site of Bliesbruck-Reinheim showcases “The Origins of the Games.” For the adventurous, the submarine base of Saint-Nazaire offers engaging activities to learn about tennis, basketball, and rifle shooting over an expansive 1,000 square meters.
3 Dance to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies Playlists
The closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics featured a moving rendition of “My Way” by Yseult, with captivating performances from artists like Phoenix, Angèle, Kavinsky, and Air captivating the audience. Notably, the official anthem and the opening ceremony’s musical components promise to linger in the minds of attendees.
Various platforms curate playlists compiling these unforgettable songs, offering fans a chance to relive the magic at home. While we await the official release of exclusive performances, including Lady Gaga, Aya Nakamura, and Céline Dion, many have begun personal compilations to cherish these iconic moments in sports history. Keep an ear out for the announcement of the official soundtrack!
4 Explore Documentaries on Olympic Athletes’ Lives
Several streaming platforms present insightful documentaries focusing on the extraordinary lives of Olympic athletes to help sports enthusiasts dive deeper. Netflix features a two-part special on Simone Biles, offering a glimpse into her incredible journey and the significance of mental preparation for elite athletes. Similarly, Canal+ shines a light on pole vault superstar Armand Duplantis with his own documentary, along with special features on celebrated athletes like Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner.
Additionally, on the France Télévisions network, the series Champion(s) tracks young athletes from Tokyo to Paris 2024 across its four seasons. Episodes capture the sport journeys of inspiring competitors like bronze medalist judoka Shirine Boukli and Olympic vice-champion fencer Sara Balzer. Also, new episodes of At the Heart of the Games will be released following the Paralympics, further enriching the audience’s understanding of Olympic experiences.
5 Take on a New Sporting Challenge
Experiencing extensive hours of thrilling sports can inspire many to pursue their athletic passions. With a newfound motivation, individuals might even discover their calling in sports inspired by their beloved Olympians. Even before Félix Lebrun brought home two medals in table tennis, his burgeoning fame ignited interest in youth licenses. As President of the French Table Tennis Federation, Gilles Erb highlighted that “In terms of licenses, we are well ahead of 2019, the last year before Covid.”
Table tennis, judo, basketball, rugby sevens, kayaking, and mountain biking are now expected to benefit from the Olympic effect, inviting new enthusiasts to participate as registration for sports programs begins in the fall. Moreover, the 40,000 participants in the Marathon for All are sure to encourage others, sharing their athletic accomplishments and cultivating a culture of sportsmanship. This aligns with the mission set forth by David Lappartient, President of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, to transform France into an even more athletic nation.
6 Engage in Community Events and Local Sports Initiatives
Beyond individual participation, community initiatives and events frequently arise post-Olympics, aiming to foster sports engagement within local populations. Neighborhood hubs will often host public activities encouraging citizens to take part in sports, whether through organized meetups, challenges, or friendly competitions.
To stay informed about these community sports initiatives, consider subscribing to newsletters or following social media accounts dedicated to local sporting updates. Collaboration with schools and residential facilities can also lead to workshops aimed at encouraging younger generations to discover their passion for physical activities, ultimately contributing to an active and healthy lifestyle.
7 Relive the Magic Through Social Media
Social media platforms become a treasure trove of Olympic memories post-Games, allowing fans to relive spectacular moments. Following hashtags like #Paris2024 or #Olympics can lead you to stunning images, heartfelt stories, and emotional snippets from the Games, sparking reflection and sharing among fellow enthusiasts.
Consider participating in discussions or sharing your own Olympic experiences online, contributing to the global narrative and keeping the spirit of unity alive. Engage with content creators, athletes, and organizations that discuss the ongoing impact of the Olympics on communities and individuals worldwide.
