Paris Notebook: The iconic games
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Paris' temporary Eiffel Tower Stadium, home to Olympic beach volleyball, as seen at dusk on Monday. Photo: Ina Fried/Axios
The Paris Games have managed an incredible feat: turning the Olympic venues into a destination in and of themselves.
The big picture: Tapping into iconic locations across greater Paris furthers organizers' goal of appealing to younger and more urban audiences.
My thought bubble: In 40 years of attending sports, I've never chosen which event I wanted to go to based on the venue where the matchup was taking place. The Paris Olympics have changed that.
- I went to fencing on Saturday not out of a keen interest in sword fighting, but rather to see the sport against the backdrop of the Grand Palais, an elaborate steel-and-glass Nave-style structure originally built for the Universal Exhibition in 1900.
- On Monday, I went to events at two epic venues. During the day I headed to Versailles to watch the equestrian competition, while I spent the late evening watching beach volleyball as the sun set behind the Eiffel Tower.
Why it matters: Olympics host cities are encouraged to avoid new construction, and Paris has found a win-win — erecting only temporary stadiums in the heart of Paris while repurposing grand existing structures such as the Grand Palais and Versailles.
Zoom in: Versailles was an epic trek, but it was a trek. In addition to the hourlong commute from Paris, getting to the equestrian competition necessitated a mile-long walk from the main entrance to the palace grounds.
- That said, it was a beautiful walk through the gardens of Versailles, which are a major destination even when the world's best riders and horses aren't on display. And there were electric vehicles to assist those with accessibility needs.
The much-talked about Eiffel Tower Stadium places temporary stands and an imported sand court just steps from the iconic tower, which has been dressed up for the occasion, adding the Olympic rings to its familiar contours.
- It's been the talk of the games, and I'm sure I was not alone in changing my itinerary to take in an evening session.
Yes, but: To nitpick ever so slightly, heat remains an issue at Paris' shadeless outdoor stadiums. And it's projected to hit 95 degrees on Tuesday — forcing me to choose the comfort of air conditioning over scenery.
- Meanwhile, the Grand Palais, home to fencing, offers a cooler option for those looking to beat the heat while still allowing spectators to take in a sport in front of a majestic location.
