The women's triathlon on 31 July in Paris. Photo: AFP/JASPER JACOBS
It was a masterstroke to hold the Olympics Games in the centre of the City of Light, a journalist who has attended multiple editions says.
Atlanta in 1996 was Barry Guy's first experience of reporting on the four-yearly sporting extravaganza.
The history attached to Athens in 2004 gave it a special place in his heart but now Paris has soared to join the Greek capital at the top of his list.
The men in the 20km walk move past the Eiffel Tower on 1 August, 2024. Photo: AFP
It's nothing to do with medals or the ease with which a journalist can do their job, he said.
"It's the feeling I had afterwards. What helps Paris for me was the spectacular backdrop that the City of Light provided.
"The Eiffel Tower was always present and organisers made the most of that and other local landmarks wherever possible.
"The tower, Champ-de-Mars, Pont Alexandre III and the Seine all featured in a number of sports, while the Stade de France would have to be one of the greatest sport stadiums in the world."
But a beautiful setting doesn't ease the torment of sore feet from all that walking to the venues, Guy said.
"My sore feet and the high temperatures for the first few days were taxing on my old body, but other than that I have no bad memories from these Games."
Barry Guy seeking relief from the sun and, on the right, after an interview with gold medallist Finn Butcher. Photo: RNZ
At least the public transport the media, athletes and ticketholders were encouraged to use as part of a drive for a 'green Games' usually worked well.
"A couple of times we were packed liked sardines into trains, but for the most part all transport was efficient and on time and the local transport app made itineraries easy."
Fellow journalist Felicity Reid wasn't quite so impressed, saying the French don't seem to mind leaving things to the last minute with even more of a 'she'll be right' attitude than New Zealanders - swimming in the Seine was a case in point.
"For all of the lofty ambitions of legacy as a host city and making sure the Olympics were seen as more climate friendly than in the past, organisers still had to face up to the fact they couldn't control Mother Nature which had an impact on the competition schedule not only in Paris and Marseille [light winds delayed sailing] but also the surfing outpost [small waves] in Tahiti."
Felicity Reid at the Stade de France. Photo: RNZ / Barry Guy
Guy's other highs
These included the chance to see Kiwi athletes in action from the sevens and athletics at the Stade de France to the aquatic centre "where the crowd went crazy for the performances of local swimming hero Leon Marchand".
"The velodrome is always exciting and the rowing/ kayak venue turned into a great place for medals for the Kiwis."
Among memorable incidents - standing next to a group of Australian rowers who were cheering on Brooke Francis and Lucy Spoors in the double sculls final. Asked why they were keen to see Kiwis win they replied "go the mums".
"Francis and Spoors started the 'mum power' catch phrase at these Games and I couldn't help but get emotional at what they had achieved and the village that helped them win Olympic gold."
Kiwi rowers Lucy Spoors, right, and Brooke Francis with their babies. Photo: Brooke Francis/Instagram
Reid was impressed at Kiwi success both in the sports we traditionally excel at - rugby sevens, kayaking and rowing and track cycling - as well as new sports such as the kayak cross.
"The Olympic programme will no doubt evolve in years to come but these Games have shown that New Zealand can be competitive in the traditional sports as well as those that are appealing to organisers who are seeking a different audience."
Celebrity stalk
"I finally managed to get to Roland Garros [the tennis venue and home of the French Open]. I watched [New Zealand's] Lulu Sun play on the outer courts and got a glimpse of Rafa Nadal on the main court… another one ticked off."
Guy said overall he was impressed with how the New Zealand athletes performed on the world stage.
Some were coming home disappointed, perhaps because of injury or the high calibre of the athletes they encountered in their events.
"Many of the sports at the Olympics are so competitive and have huge numbers of top performers so making a final is a form of victory. Winning a medal would remain a dream for most.
"New Zealand had plenty of those and they can be well satisfied with that."
