If you meet American tourists on a Sunday afternoon in Paris, you may have noticed a broad smile on their faces. With 126 medals – including 40 gold – won, it’s no surprise that Team USA has dominated these Olympic Games. It was with this very good standard in mind that many North American nationals attended the closing service broadcast.
This Sunday afternoon, one of the “places to be” to attend the end of this first part of the Games – the Paralympic Games start on August 28 – was near the Coca-Cola Food Festival, an unsustainable “food court” set up in the Terminal Invalides.
In front of the large screens installed here and there opposite the long tables of the guests, eyes are first turned to the delegations of athletes entering the Stade de France, with so many flags before them. “There are plenty of them I don’t know,” admitted Andy, 28, who came from New York to enjoy the Olympic fever for a few days.
To tell the truth, until a week ago, winning Paris was not in his plans. The opening ceremony then encouraged the first auditions to buy a ticket at the last minute. A choice he will not regret. “It was great,” he enthuses as the American athletes are introduced. Everywhere I went, I felt like I was in a postcard. »
Billie Eilish, “I’m for me!”
After the opening ceremony that he “loved it a lot because it represented France and Paris”, and that “he was not at all surprised” despite the disputeshe seemed to enjoy the closing ceremony very much. His great praise bears witness to this.
It must be said that several famous American artists were nominated that evening, such as the group Red Hot Chili Peppers and the rapper Snoop Doggubiquitous during these Games. But not only that. Until this Sunday evening, Kelsey, who hails from Minnesota, had no idea that one of her favorite singers was going to perform at the ceremony: the American pop superstar Billie Eilish. “I like it!” », giving the young woman a boost as the Stade de France transforms into a night club.
Will she be as cheerful in four years, when Los Angeles will the next edition of the Olympic Games be hosted? “If I don’t live in Paris anymore, I will definitely be there,” she says. Long minutes after the French groups Phoenix then Air had celebrated a lot of heads, Billie Eilish appeared in front of her fan a little before midnight, from the beach of the City of Angels.
“It’s up to the Americans to do better than us now!” », laughs Simon, a Parisian also very happy with the closing event. The evening continues. The challenge has been launched.
2024-08-11 21:55:00
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