Pioneer in Paris: Random observations after 2 days at the Olympics
PARIS, FRANCE (August 2, 2024) — After attending our first Olympic event—swimming—and doing a lot of touristy stuff, here are a few impressions:
Around major tourist attractions and event venues it is quite evident what’s happening in Paris. On most streets, however, there is little or no Olympic visibility. Quite striking to what 1984 Los Angeles was like where you couldn’t turn around anywhere without seeing signs of the Olympics.
All TVs in bars and restaurants are tuned in to Olympic programming.
Paris has over 55,000 law enforcement members on hand….in cars with sirens from a Jason Bourne movie, on horseback, motorcycle and on foot, some sporting automatic weapons. As we walked near the Eiffel Tower Thursday, I spotted 2 LA County Sheriff deputies. My brother Bill lives in the county and chatted with them. He asked how it was going, and one responded with a smile, “All expenses paid trip to Paris!”
Random observations
Small silver metal ashtrays are on every Paris restaurant table—inside and outside.
No tipping is nice as waitstaff, etc. get a living wage and health coverage! Friendliness of staff has varied quite a bit.
Coca Cola has the beverage vending rights at the Olympics. We ordered 5 Coke products at the swimming last night. They pull 5 16 oz plastic bottles from the frig, open each one and pour into an Olympic branded plastic cup. Can’t believe they aren’t using fountain dispensers given the volume and time issues at a venue.
After using a cup, you can turn it back in for 2 Euros cash. Jared and Monica pocketed 14 Euros after the meet and still came home with 3 branded souvenir cups.
Eleven of the 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive on drug tests before the Tokyo Olympics but we able to swim there. World-wide controversary is still big news here with many of those confirmed doped swimmers competing (and winning medals) in Paris. It is very noticeable the lukewarm reception they get in the swimmer introductions before the races. EVERY other swimmer from nations big and small get much louder cheers.
Read more stories in our Pioneer in Paris series.
Jay Bedecarré
Jay Bedecarré is a long-time resident and writer in Concord and Clayton. He began his newspaper writing career while still a senior at Mt. Diablo High School and he has been part of The Pioneer since its inception in 2003. Jay also operates Bay Area Festivals, presenting events around the San Francisco Bay Area including Bay Area KidFest annually in Downtown Concord.