Another week of Beautiful Olympic Contests

Paris: a Perfect Place for Sports!

Watching the Olympics, I’ve been especially appreciative of the splendid settings created in Paris and many other French locations for the numerous sports. I've at least briefly watched surfing in Polynesia, sailing in the Mediterranean, equestrian events in the gardens of Versailles, fencing in the Grand Palais, cycling past the Louvre, swimming in the Seine (oops, pollution problems there), outdoor sports near the Eiffel Tower, and wonderful indoor facilities for gymnastics. Here are a few photos -- mainly from news sources with a few from my TV screen.

I once went to a book fair in the Grand Palais, which was built for the 1900 Paris Exposition.
Now — having been refurbished for the Olympics — it’s an incredible indoor sports arena.

Triathlon competitors diving into the Seine near my favorite Paris bridge: Pont Alexandre III.

Simone Biles at the Bercy Arena in Paris, which was built in 1984.

From the Guardian: Olympic images projected on walls.

Throughout Paris, the Olympic images are being posted on walls in all sorts of places. See this photo essay for some wonderful pictures:  https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2024/aug/07/paris-olympics-2024-projecting-the-light-fantastique-in-pictures

Events in other parts of France

Surfing in Tahiti

Caroline Marks from the United States won the women’s surfing gold medal on Monday
at the Paris Olympics in Tahiti. (source)

Sailing Races Near Marseilles

Catamaran racing.

Kite surfing.

An Amazing Course for Kayaks: Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium

Noemi Fox, Australian Kayaking Champion at the unbelievable rapids built for the games.

An Equestrian Space Fit for a King

Riding events on the grounds of the Chateau de Versailles:
“It was a day of mixed emotions for the Australian Equestrian Team in the cross-country phase
of the Eventing competition.” (source)

The Bears of Les Goblins Watched the Cycling Race

During my very brief stay in Paris in May, I discovered the teddybears (nounours) who inhabit the area
around the Goblins Metro stop in this photo. Evidently, they watched Olympic cycling.
Photos are from the Instagram site “Les nounours des goblins.”

Another interesting detail: Emotional Support Dog for Gymnasts

During Olympic training in California: Simone Biles with Beacon the emotional support dog.
“Beacon, the four-year-old golden retriever has been trotting around with America’s best and brightest
gymnasts for the past year with the aim of helping keep their serotonin and stress levels in check.” (source)

I feel as if my life this week has been in two places: one at the Olympics and also at home in Michigan.

So I have two posts to share with Deb’s Sunday Salon, this one and one more tomorrow. 

Also shared with Eileen’s Critters.

Photos from news sources and from my TV