‘It is a bit laborious that it is throughout’ – Cyber Tech

Like pals who cannot half, it was time to say goodbye. On Saturday, September 14, on the Place de l’Etoile, we stated farewell to a summer time of sporting performances and magic, but in addition of nationwide unity and delight. This second of enchantment, which started on July 26 through the opening ceremony of the Olympic Video games, with Céline Dion singing Edith Piaf on the primary ground of the Eiffel Tower as an emotional climax, ended round midnight on the foot of the Arc de Triomphe, every week after the closing ceremony of the Paralympic Video games.

As with all farewells, there have been a number of lengthy moments, a number of surprises, but in addition a variety of feelings, smiles, tears and hugs. It was as if a number of the volunteers and workers of Paris 2024 had all of a sudden realized that they won’t see one another once more.

The tens of 1000’s of spectators massed alongside the Champs-Elysées since early afternoon had eyes just for the French champions, medal winners or not, invited to parade on an elevated platform uo to the Place de l’Etoile. Some needed to wait three or 4 hours to catch a glimpse of their idols.

However they appeared prepared – waving French flags, their faces painted blue, white and purple – to pay the worth for his or her happiness. And regardless of the chilly autumn air, they had been eager to keep up the joyous spirit of summer time, seen in Membership France and different celebration areas. The 60,000 free tickets for the occasion had been snapped up inside an hour or two on Wednesday, when the ticketing workplace opened. That is how keen individuals had been.

“It was essential to be there for this final likelihood to attend the Paris 2024 Video games. It is a bit laborious and sudden that it is throughout,” deplored Nicolas Balat and Maxime Eloy. Alice Charlery-Adèle and Yvonne Radigoy additionally felt this “Olympic nostalgia” even earlier than the parade started. “These Video games had been actually nice, we must always do that yearly, too unhealthy it is too costly to arrange… As for the parade, we could not simply watch it on TV. We needed to be there for the athletes, to cheer them on.”

‘No distinction between the athletes’

Nearly 350 Olympic and Paralympic athletes gathered on probably the most lovely avenue in Paris. Léon Marchand, the complete French judo staff, the blind soccer heroes, the rugby sevens staff, all loved this additional second of sharing with the general public. “We do not need it to finish, we nonetheless need to benefit from the effervescence, let the social gathering go on,” stated Tanguy de La Forest, Paralympic taking pictures champion and flag-bearer on the closing ceremony on September 8. “Right this moment, there is no distinction between the athletes, it is a very highly effective second.”

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