Paris 2024 Olympics | "The whole world is watching us": at the Parc Urbain, sport puts on the show

On its second opening day after July 28, the atmosphere at the Parc Urbain is as intense as ever. The programme was even busier, with the arrival of BMX Freestyle and 3x3 Basketball, and the French men's and women's teams taking to the stage at the end of the evening. One thing's for sure: the atmosphere and the show were there.

The Parc Urbain is a rare commodity. Located right in the centre of Paris, the park that resides on the Place de la Concorde and its obelisk is home to youth disciplines such as BMX Freestyle, Skateboarding, 3x3 Basketball and Breaking. While the last one has yet to get underway, athletes in the other three disciplines have already had a chance to test them in the glowing atmosphere emanating from the stands and throughout this venue steeped in history.

It's easy to see from the entrance alone that this competition venue is unlike any other. Under a blazing sun, not many spectators are resting in front of the misters or looking for the slightest bit of shade. Many are dancing to the rhythm of the musical entertainment, playing along to the sporting demonstrations or just enjoying the emotions generated by the events held throughout the day.

At the end of the afternoon, more than a hundred people gather in the middle of the Parc Urbain, where the local BMX ambassador, Matthias Dandois, is organising a bunny hop contest: a competition in which you have to jump as high as possible over a bar using your bicycle.

"It's really huge, there's an incredible world out there, the 9-time BMX Flatland World Champion said to our microphones. It's great, it sends out a really extraordinary image of our sport, and I'm delighted to be able to do it. It's extraordinary, we're part of the show's programme and we're able to get people excited, show what BMX Flatland and the street show are all about, and even more with our mates, we have fun", he explains, showing at the same time Julien Baran, winner of the bunny hop contest and rising star of the discipline, who has made a name for himself for his videos on the TikTok social network.

For BMX Freestyle, the show will already be over on Wednesday, with the men's and women's finals scheduled for later this afternoon. But don't worry, you will have plenty of opportunity to catch up with Matthias Dandois and his entire troupe throughout the two weeks of competition.

A big show brought by the French skateboard group at the Parc Urbain

One show follows another, and no sooner had spectators left a 3x3 basketball match than they were redirected to the skatepark. The French skateboarding group is waiting for us for a 50-minute demonstration, watched by the sport's ambassador, Brazilian-American Letícia Bufoni.

"It's incredible, I'm used to coming to Paris, but here, in this atmosphere, it's crazy", she said. The crowd didn't have enough time to applaud that the French group already kicked off. Among the few skateboarders on the ramp, Charlotte Hym, Jéromine Louvet and Benjamin Garcia delighted us with all their tricks deployed in the arena.

Whether you're an expert or not, everyone is invited to join in the fun, the announcer explaining each trick by the athletes. And it's a great success, as the stands are almost completely filled until the end of the show.

With a freestyle football show taking place at the same time, the public - and especially the children who were able to take part in the entertainment - were having a great time. But wait for the highlight of the show, the 3x3 Basketball evening.

Pressure increases at the Parc Urbain as the first nations take to the track

Avant les entrées en lice des équipes de France de Basketball 3x3, qui se succédaient en fin de soirée, les premières rencontres connaissaient déjà un grand succès auprès du public.

« L'ambiance et la foule étaient vraiment incroyables », s'extasiait après la rencontre Nauris Miezis, champion olympique en titre avec la Lettonie dans le tournoi messieurs et porte-drapeau de sa délégation lors de la cérémonie d'ouverture. Opposés à leurs voisins lituaniens, les médaillés d'or aux JO de Tokyo 2020 - pour la toute première édition du Basketball 3x3 aux Jeux - n'ont pas tremblé et se sont imposés 21-14.

Before the French 3x3 basketball teams took to the court in the late evening, the first matches were already a great success with the public.

"It was an amazing crowd and atmosphere," enthused Nauris Miezis, reigning Olympic champion with Latvia in the men's tournament and flag-bearer of his delegation at the Opening Ceremony. Against their Lithuanian neighbours, the gold medallists at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics - in the very first edition of 3x3 Basketball at the Games - won 21-14.

Just before the French women's team start, Azerbaijani fans turned out in force to support their girl's team against Spain. It must be said that qualifying for the main tournament of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was already quite an achievement. "Come on, come on, come on", shouted one, while another chanted the name of one of their players, Marcedes Walker. "It's always the same," shouted another, after a Spanish player had just committed a foul.

Despite their efforts and "Azerbaijan" chanted several times during the match, it wasn't enough. The Azerbaijanis lost to Spain 18-16, having believed until the end. It was the start of what was sure to be a wild evening.

An extraordinary atmosphere for the French 3x3 Basketball teams at the Parc Urbain

Even before the end of the Azerbaijan-Spain match, the crowd was beginning to warm up too. A few chants could already be heard rising from the stands, which filled to near capacity. And as night fell over Paris, it was when the presenter announced Les Bleues' team line-up that the arena began to shake, pounding with the stomping of the blue-white-red supporters.

Marie-Eve Paget, Myriam Djekoundade, Laëtitia Guapo and Hortence Limouzin faced China. It was revenge for the small final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which had gone in China's favour. Despite a timid first few minutes, Les Bleues, buoyed by an effervescent crowd - who celebrated every point like one man - came back level and believed in their chances of winning as regulation time drew to a close. In the end, it was the Chinese who came out on top, 21-19 after extra time.

Although supporters were disappointeed, there was no time for self-pity, as it was the boys' turn to take to the stage. Like their female counterparts, Les Bleus made a timid start for their first appearance at the Games. While Poland was leading 6-2, then 9-3, France had to rely on Franck Seguela, who scored 7 points and dunked a shot that rekindled the flame in the stands.

Timothé Vergiat, Jules Rambaut and Lucas Dussoulier also raised the bar. The suspense came to an end when Dussoulier scored the winning basket - a 2-pointer - after seeking the support of the crowd in the dying moments of the game to win 21-19. A real bonus, according to the team's number 0: "It means a lot. Our families are here watching it. The whole world is watching us. There is a lot of pressure being at home, but we have to use the crowd to give us energy."

It was an important first victory for the French team, who will be looking to build on this success in their next matches. The show came to a close - still with the public - with Serbia's 22-14 victory over the United States. An evening rich in emotion, with many more to come at the Parc Urbain.