Gold medal experience

Thoughts on the Paris 2024 Olympics, advice for future attendees, and wariness for 2028

I’ve been an Olympics obsessive since a kid.

One of my earliest memories is watching Kerri Strug’s incredible vault. My 5th birthday party was the Olympic Games, where my preschool friends and I dominated all opposition as Team USA. My Bar Mitzvah was Olympics themed - Ethan’s Athens, a fun anagrammed name in honor of that year’s Games. I remember watching Jason Lezak’s incredible relay comeback, screaming at the TV in my childhood basement. I did a Group Independent Study in college on the Olympic and Paralympic movement and made a documentary that celebrated Paralympians under the leadership of former Team USA athlete Eli Wolff (who, sadly, left us far too soon.)

So, when I earned a free round trip plane ticket to Europe this summer through serendipitous circumstances, there was only one thing on my mind: this is a sign for me to go to Paris. After years of watching on the sidelines, making half-baked plans and wishcasting my attendance, I earned the opportunity to actually BE at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

I’m currently in Strasbourg, sitting on the Rhine River about two hours east of Paris after spending the past week partaking in the Olympic festivities. And, let me tell you, it was incredible. But, as always, I have thoughts on the future and maybe even some advice for other Olympics aspirants out there.

You’ll never regret an event purchase

While at the Olympics, I went to three events: swimming, volleyball, and track and field. Swimming and volleyball were absolutely immaculate vibewise. I ended up even making it on the telecast of the medal ceremony for swimming! My seats were marketed to me as “obstructed” but somehow I ended up literally on the pooldeck; the obstruction was a foam mat that, merely, by standing up, I could subvert. I sat next to an Italian guy who also pretended to be Hungarian by flipping the flag vertically and in front of two Australians who gave me dirty looks when I screamed for Katie Douglass’ last 50 meters. It was an absolute blast.

Volleyball had its own culture I had never partaken in before outside of watching and reading all of the best fictionalized sports story of all time, Haikyuu! I watched Poland vs. Slovenia and, in time, became aware of the nuances of the sport such as the instantaneous challenge system, the monster block chant, and the breakdancers who fill set breaks by boogieing down on the court. I went into the event pulling for Slovenia to make an upset happen but swapped over to Poland because their wing spiker Tomasz Fornal reminded me of Bokuto and they had a Black player named Leon - two Haikyuu related reasons that spun me over to the red team’s side. They won two sets to one and I cheered heartily. (aside: Poland beat USA today to make the championship and honestly, go Polska.)

Track was probably my least amazing experience, mainly because the seats at Stade de France were tiny, it rained for some of the event, and my preferred racer Sha’Carri Richardson lost, but it was still a fun time. I was amused by the little remote controlled car that was used to transport the javelins and saw first-time gold medals for Saint Lucia (not the band) and Dominica. Julien Alfred blazed and Ryan Crouser, Rajindra Campbell, and Joe Kovacs were incredible at shotput. It was slightly uncomfortable, but still overall worthwhile. I enjoyed myself.

The Olympics are overpriced and there are certain purchases I do slightly regret, which I’ll get to later. But, the events were all worthwile. I wish I went to more. Go to as many as you have the means and energy to do - you won’t regret it.

Find your people

I’ll keep this sappy section brief but I came to Paris not really knowing anyone other than a couple of friends and friends of friends from San Francisco. I left having found my people, my fellow Olympic enthusiasts, and created some friendships that will last me a lifetime. It’s inspired me to potentially go to future events like gymnastics or swimming worlds just to see them again, which are things I never would have considered before. Some of my favorite memories of the past week were beyond the events - it was 1 AM crepe runs, drinking by the Seine, giddily watching gymnastics event finals in a beautiful Paris flat, or even taking pictures with a gold medal (I’ll never tell the full story by the way.)

The great thing about the Olympics is that it brings so many people together with one simple love - sports. I left Paris with memories that I’ll cherish forever and great new friends. That, to me, was enough.

The country houses are like adult Epcot, but plan things out carefully

Now, we’ve gotten the positivity out of the way, we’ll move toward the experiences that, for me, did not quite strike the same chords.

Throughout Paris, various countries had houses where travelers could go to watch events and hang out with their fellow countryfolk. Some of the ones that were most well-known were Holland House (formerly known as Heineken House), USA House, and Canada House, among many others. France had a holistic experience that took over much of Parc de Veillette. Over 20 countries had national houses and, honestly, I wanted to hit up as many as I can.

Little did I know that it would be impossible.

I think going to as many houses as you can is a great endeavor, especially on off days when you are not going to events. However, I experienced major communication and traffic issues. It is not especially clear when certain houses are filled up, or which houses cost money to enter. There are affiliate websites that do monitor the houses and can inform decision-making, but they are often not fully updated. Many of the houses are in the same place (Parc de Veillette, for instance, had France/Brazil/Serbia/Czechia/Holland/Canada/Mongolia and others), but locations like Germany House, Korea House, and USA House were far-flung, and committing to go to them was risky given that if they were closed, the commute would have been in vain. I opted for Canada House at a small fee and got poutine and a Molson - they hit the spot.

House pricing is all over the place. I paid 30 Euro to go to Canada House and 325 Euro (gulp, it was for the experience) for USA House. Choosing between the two, Canada House was a significantly better time. It had more space, delicious poutine, and an actual outdoor area where people could mingle. Other houses had vast outdoor space as well (Korea House had KBBQ, for instance). USA House was fully indoors and probably my most disappointing purchase of the trip. The free finger sandwiches (which, aside, were kind of odd, pictured below is a “beef bagel” and a “yellow club” - yummy, but odd) and Michelob Ultra was fine, and it was cool to see Olympians and watch events with Americans, but the whole endeavor was in one room in the Palais Brogniart and generally served as a shop to buy Ralph Lauren and Mitchell and Ness branded Olympic gear and LA 2028 swag, all of which was CRAZY expensive. To be fair, this jacket is fire, but it’s also 1,300 Euros. I’m not spending that when I already dropped over a quarter of that just to be on the premises.

My guess is that in 2028, USA will do something like France did this year with a watch party in a much bigger space that is cheaper. I think that’s good, but three brief suggestions for the committee:

1. Line control - The line for France’s watch party was out of control and wound around multiple city blocks.

2. Keep the houses close together - Or, at least, communicate clearly when they are full.

3. A passport/plan for those who want to visit every international house - This would be cool! I see it as kind of an Epcot passport card, but for folks in LA.

Specialty housing needs a level up

Another brief note - the Pride House this year was kind of boring. To be fair, I did not go at night, when I heard it was a bit more celebratory and full, but I’d love to see this turned into more of a destination for out LGBTQ+ athletes in 2028. Over 195 LGBTQ+ athletes (that we know of) took part in the 2024 summer games. Let’s create a space to celebrate them here!

Additionally, it would be cool if LA had a Black House for Black athletes and fans to be able to hang out and connect. My guess is that this is in the works, but more spaces like this would be very cool in fostering the Olympic spirit that every sport is for every type of person. I’m open-minded to any and all other house ideas as well!

I think the LA Olympic Committee will operate with the best of intentions. However…

I don’t think LA can operate like Paris

…now we get to the negativity.

I don’t think Los Angeles has the ability to run the Olympics like Paris could. There are too many things Paris nailed that, quite honestly, I’m skeptical Los Angeles has the logistical ability to undertake.

Paris is a city connected by many intricate Metro systems that made traveling relatively easy even if sometimes the cars were crowded. On every Metro, there were pink dots that signified relevant landmarks to watch events happening at the games. In every station, even those without Olympic events, at least six volunteers helped shepherd tourists around the city. Pink signs pointed the pathways to stadiums. It was generally a seamless process.

Los Angeles, on the other hand, has a nothing metro system. Its streets are incredibly crowded and overflowing with traffic at all times of the day. I have no idea how tourists from all over the world are going to be able to get around the city. Let’s say the Opening Ceremonies are in Sofi Stadium, for instance - getting to Inglewood that day is going to be a MESS. I spent 3 hours in the Sofi parking lot after the Super Bowl waiting for cars to leave. It will be 2 times as long, at least, after Opening Ceremonies.

The other elephant in the room is how many cops were present in Paris. Everywhere, it felt like there were at least 8-10 cops walking around with machine guns. It was honestly spooky. I saw them in malls, in Metro stations, on the streets, on buses. There was never a shot fired, but their presence was everywhere. I’m very concerned about the chilling effect that could have in Los Angeles.

So, what should you do if you want to go to the games? How about if you don’t?

If you want to go to the games, hopefully this advice gives you some idea about how to approach the process. Be ready to spend money, but other than that, I had a blast at the Olympics. If you go and check out the events and team houses, you’ll have fun too. Who knows - maybe you’ll make friends for life.

If you live in the Los Angeles area and don’t want to go to the games, my advice is to do what every non-sports motivated Parisian did this time around and escape for a few weeks. Work remotely if you can, but get out of the metro area. It’s going to be a mess.

I hope to attend though - and maybe I’ll even see you there!