Paris 2024 Olympics: Boisterous fans packing iconic venues on first official day of action
The Olympic Games are back... and with a bang!
That bang is you, the fans.
Paris 2024 kicked off officially on Saturday (27 July) after an historic and dazzling Opening Ceremony across the Seine River, with some 6800 athletes from 205 teams climbing aboard boats of all sizes to wave in the Games.
While the Opening showcased a cross-section of Paris' most famed landmarks, the city's sites are only getting warmed up, with each of beach volleyball (underneath the Eiffel Tower), tennis (at Stade Roland-Garros) and equestrian (at the Palace of Versailles) being just some of the iconic venues used over the next two weeks.
At the South Paris Arena for men's volleyball, a packed crowd roared as two powerhouses in the sport, Brazil and Italy, battled it out across four sets, with Italy winning 3-1.
Inside the historic Grand Palais, fencing got underway before throngs of fans, too. An emotional Matyas Szabo of Germany upset home hope Sebastian Patrice in a dramatic affair to move into the quarter-finals as the French crowd backed its charge. Szabo roared will relief after his 15-13 win, comforting Patrice with a pat on the back.
But this is what we had so missed about the Games that we are reminded of in full on day one: The elation and despair of the Olympians themselves, but also, the fans - the crowds - living it along with the athletes.
The Olympic Games back at full tilt.
"It's the place to be:" Athletes, fans revel in Games' start
In all, 23 sports were meant to feature on Saturday, though the Parisian rain did cause some delays, including for the skateboarding, with the men's street final pushed to Monday (29 July).
At the tennis, Carlos Alcaraz, the bonafide global superstar from Spain, won his first-ever Olympic match in singles under a roof on Court Suzanne-Lenglen before he teamed up with his childhood hero, Rafael Nadal, in the doubles.
Across the way, world No.1 Iga Swiatek was also a winner over Irina Camelia-Begu. Swiatek has long called herself a fan of Nadal's, and said she was proud of the Spaniard being featured in Friday's Opening along with tennis greats Serena Williams and Amelie Mauresmo.
"Especially these particular athletes, Rafa and Serena, they are great examples for everybody," Swiatek said. "So, I'm happy that we could witness that. [And] I'm happy that tennis is recognised and our athletes are basically a big part of this show, and the Opening Ceremony, because our sport deserves it."
What also deserves recognition this day is the spirt of the Games, particularly from the fans themselves. The rain persisted for much of the morning into the early afternoon. But never doubt an Olympic fan: The umbrellas, ponchos, rain jackets and anything else possible to take cover under - they were all in use.
"It's wonderful to be here around people from different countries and other cultures," said Alexis Badillo, a Mexican who lives in Barcelona. "For me it's amazing to be here."
"It's the place to be, that's all," said Françoise Guermont of Rouen, France, a city in the north.
"Last night we slept at 4 in the morning and we wake up at 7," said Michel Guermont, who said they went to Friday's Opening Ceremony.
"But we will sleep later," he added, laughing.
Now that's, indeed, the Olympic spirit.