The last Olympic athletes departed the residential complex that they called home for a couple of weeks during the Paris Olympics, with some reminiscing on the highlights of the Games.
The Olympics drew to a close at the French capital on Sunday (August 11) night with a ceremony at the Stade de France.
Movie star Tom Cruise rappelled from the roof of France’s national stadium and received the Olympic flag, bringing a heavy dose of Hollywood to the closing ceremony of the Paris Games as the French capital handed over to the 2028 edition’s host Los Angeles.
On Monday, Canadian athlete Marco Arop, who won silver for 800 m, let admirers try on his coveted medal outside the Olympic village just before he left.
“It was a great time, you know. I was in one of the last events, so I got to watch some of the other events leading up to it,” he said outside the Athletes Village.
“I won my first Olympic medal, so you know, you can’t be upset with that, that was huge.”
The Paris Olympics brought scintillating sport to the heart of the capital, breathing new life into an Olympic brand hurt by the difficulties of Rio de Janeiro’s 2016 Games and the soulless spirit of Tokyo’s COVID-hit event.
There have been 10,500 athletes competing in the Olympics at various venues across France, as well as the surfing in Tahiti.
“I think the whole community feel of it. The Games were run really smoothly,” Australian springboard diver Maddison Keeney said.
“Everyone’s a bit tired, it’s been a really long two weeks, but I’m excited to go home, but I had a really good trip, so yes, lots of good memories,” she added.
