An American Sig in Paris

John Taylor (JT) ’75 and his wife, Marcy, checked one big event off their bucket list by attending the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France, in July.

Paris 2024 Summer Olympics

JT remarked, “Paris did an outstanding job and the Olympic spirit is real and something to experience.  I highly recommend going and hope to go to Los Angeles 2028 Summer games and Salt Lake City 2034 Winter games”.

Joy and Enthusiasm Everywhere

“Photos don’t truly capture the joy and enthusiasm of people around the world coming together to cheer for athletes and teams that have dedicated so much to participate in events that may last just minutes.  In many sporting events success is defined by winners and losers. At the Olympics everyone is a winner.  It was so much fun to interact with spectators from other countries and hear their stories of connection to certain athletes,” JT stated.

There were an estimated 1.5 million visitors from other countries and 4.5 million Frenchmen from outside of Paris in attendance.  When the French team won events, which was often, the cheers could be heard from every bistro and bar.   JT noted, “The world knows how to throw a great party.  The Olympics is it.  I wish I had gone when I was younger.  I might not have gone to sleep.”

Rainy Opening Ceremonies

JT and Marcy joined 300,000 flag waving spectators for the Opening Ceremonies where teams from the participating countries floated pass them in boats on the Seine River. JT noted, “It was fun to be there although it rained pretty hard, and everyone was drenched. The performances were better seen on TV.”

Exciting Events

JT and Marcy attended the finals for several swimming events and were able to see France’s Léon Marchand win two events on the same night.  They also were at the finals of the men’s team gymnastics and watched USA gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik nail his pommel horse routine that contributed to the USA’s team bronze medal finish.  Seeing the participants in team events, like gymnastics, cheer each other on was truly wonderful and are memories JT says, “I won’t forget”.

Marcy and John Taylor ’75 awaiting the start of the Opening Ceremonies.

Pre-Planning and Luck

To attend the Olympics took some pre-planning and luck. JT made apartment reservations two years ago and was able to acquire tickets through a ticket lottery for gymnastics and swimming. Ticket prices ranged from $600-$3,000 each. Several events were staged along the river and the venues near the river, which could be attended for free.

Joy and Celebration All Around

“We would do it again,” stated JT, “there is no other sporting event like it.  The friendliness of spectators and participants was palpable.  We were able to experience pure joy and celebration all around us”.  As the ABC Wild World of Sports used to say, ‘the human drama of athletic competition’.

To keep his pledge brothers updated, JT posted photos of his activities on Facebook. He hopes to see John Buckingham ’75 at the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games and Bill Towsend ‘75 at the Salt Lake City 2034 Winter games.  Sounds like a great opportunity to hold a class reunion.

JT and Marcy arriving in Paris.

USA Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik winning performance.

The USA Men’s Gymnastics team receiving their bronze medal.