The joy, empathy and hypocrisy of the Paris Olympics

Thousands of fans have flocked to venues, bursting into celebrations as the world’s finest athletes win, others agonise over near misses

The Paris Olympics is going swimmingly into its last week. For a Games at least 12 years in the making – it lost 2012 to London and even 1992 Barcelona and 2008 Beijing are seen as misses – it had a drenched opening. But the French are basking in the sunshine of a truly people’s Games.

Spectators build the atmosphere ahead of the wrestling events at the Champ-de-Mars Arena during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. (AFP)

Thousands of fans have flocked to venues, bursting into celebrations as the world’s finest athletes win, others agonise over near misses. France’s political turmoil,