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Reporters screamed at Khelif, her people screamed back. Horrible stuff.
I have my doubts about whether Khelif and Lin should have been allowed to fight, but the sight of her rushing past reporters, crying, was haunting.
The last thing such a sensitive issue needed was a chaotic and vindictive boxing federation and an indecisive IOC that should have seen this firestorm coming. The IOC can sugarcoat the issue as much as it wants, but prioritizing a sustainable Olympic Games over the well-being and performance of athletes was a mistake.
Poor quality food, hot accommodation and sleepless beds… The athletes are the main stakeholders – that’s why we’re all here! And for heaven’s sake, France, turn on your air conditioning. I’ve had enough of sweating.
THE STINKY ONE
Convicted child molester Steven van de Velde from the Netherlands.Credit: AP
Three-time Olympic champion in equestrian sports Charlotte Dujardi was suspended on the eve of the Games after a video surfaced in July of her hitting a horse 24 times. And that’s exactly what had to happen.
But if Dujardi was not here, why was the convicted Dutch child molester Steven van de Veldewho was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 after admitting three counts of rape of a 12-year-old British girl?
He was booed at every game until Brazil defeated them in the round of 16.
Other things that have stunk over the last three weeks: the dirty Seine that looked like it could kill a brown dog and was doing its best to do the same to a couple of triathletes and endurance swimmers; the poor sweaty soul in those bright red Phryge mascot uniforms; €30 for two Coke Zeros and two quiches for me and a colleague Rob Harris in equestrian sports.
THE SISTERS
Jess Fox celebrates winning a gold medal in kayak cross with her sister Noemie.Credit: AP
Don’t you love that two of the most famous faces in Australian sport right now are the Penrith sisters? Jess And Noémie Foxwho both won gold in whitewater (so Jess won twice)?
Her mother, Myriam Fox-Jerusalemcompeted for France and won a bronze medal in the K1 at the 1996 Atlanta Games. The fact that this happened in Paris and together was a fairytale.
THE EMOTIONAL
Victor Wembanyama from Team France.Credit: Getty Images
By my last count, I cried 235 times on this trip—mostly because of the hotel laundry bill.
Whether it was Andy Murray retire or boxer of the IOC refugee team Cindy Ngamba Fight for a medal or French judo legend Teddy Riner to win his third gold, or Simone Biles‘ Comeback of all comebacks in gymnastics or Australian BMX star Say Sakakibara the breakthrough to their first gold, or Julien-Alfred Victory in the women’s 100-meter race and thus the first medal for St. Lucia, or 50-meter swimmer Cam McEvoy When I finally won gold, my lower lip was often trembling.
The most beautiful tears belonged to the French basketball player Victor Wembanyamawho lost it after his team lost to Team USA in the men’s final.
“I’m learning and worrying about my opponents in a few years,” he said afterwards.
In FIBA or NBA?
“Everywhere,” he replied.
THE FRENCH
For a country that is clearly torn between extreme left and extreme right ideologies, support for France was evident at all events.
Wherever you went, whether it was the Stade de France for rugby or the La Defense Arena for swimming, where new heroes Leon Marchand When the fans arrived, the place was swarming with French supporters.
THE NAUGHTY ONES
Tom Craig (right) after his release from police custody in Paris.Credit: Eddie Jim
If you had to define a market and ask which Australian sport would produce the athlete caught buying cocaine on the street, how many people would have said field hockey?
It turns out that these hockey players are a crazy species.
Kookaburras-Star Tom Craig spent a night and a day in a police cell and was then released with a warning but without charge.
I can tell you that he was advised to leave through the back door and avoid the media frenzy outside the police station where he was being held, but he wisely apologized for disappointing everyone.
He did something stupid abroad. Who hasn’t?
THE STRANGE
A river cruise party for Australian medal winners, hosted by Australia’s richest woman, Gina Rinehartwas quite a sight.
She wore a glittering long cape, while the athletes wore gold boots from her shoe company Rossi.
In the meantime, I am still processing the performance and the reaction of the Australian breakdancer Rachel Gunn.
Her performance under the name “Raygun,” a B-girl, was part rock eisteddfod, part drunken expressionist dance, and it divided people into two camps: those who thought it was great that she was trying, and those who thought it wasn’t enough because the Olympics were about excellence or some such nonsense.
Eric the Eel? Do you remember him?
Breaking will not take place in Los Angeles in 2028, but Snoop Dogg Will.
The American rapper was the unusual face of these Olympic Games, appearing everywhere and mostly supporting Team USA.
Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg will compete in equestrian sports at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.Credit: AP
He carried the torch, had his own Olympic rings for blowing bowling, and wore a different tracksuit or outfit for each venue.
US broadcaster NBC reportedly paid him $500,000 a day as part of its strategy of using major celebrities in its coverage.
And it worked: the enormous increase in ratings compared to Tokyo surprised even those responsible.
Snoop’s final word on NBC was about the show his hometown will put on in four years.
Snoop Dog was the unlikely hero of the games.Credit: Getty Images
“It will be like that,” he said, “but in an oversized format.”
Isn’t that the most American thing ever?
THE LESSONS FOR BRISBANE
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The Olympics are like your dog. You take him for granted until he’s sitting on your lap, drooling all over you, and you can’t help but pet him, love him, and give him all your attention.
Something like that.
The Brisbane Games are said to be a disaster among Queenslanders, mainly because of the costs and disputes over the construction of a new Olympic stadium.
Some fear that Suncorp Stadium may lack atmosphere as it only has a capacity of 50,000 spectators and even a remodeling of the QEII Stadium for athletics would not provide enough seating.
It is not the venues that make the Olympic Games special, but their functionality and the transport options around them.
Celebrations after Brisbane was declared the host city of the 2032 Olympic Games in July 2021.Credit: Getty
During your stay in Paris, you’ve spent hours trying to find the right train, the right bus, the right entrance. Officials and volunteers are often in the dark themselves.
Most venues had huge queues for food, drinks, toilets or just to get in.
THE MOMENT
There were so many: Ariarne Titmus‘ win Katie Ledecky in the 400m freestyle; Noah Lyles She won the closest men’s 100-meter sprint ever; Cole StoolSurprise in the men’s 1500 m race; French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati He pulled out after his penis got in the way.
The Olympic cauldron and its balloon float over the sky of Paris.Credit: AP
But most notable will be a taxi ride home late at night – I can’t remember exactly when, it’s all a blur – that turned up near the Louvre, home of the Olympic flame for the past 17 days.
I asked him to stop so I could walk around and soak up the atmosphere.
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As we all stood around and marveled at a flame that was actually mist lit by LED lights in a hot air balloon, we were happy. The world was a beautiful place. It was OK for a change.
Then I cried… someone needs to go home and see their dog.
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