VERSAILLES, France — The 2028 Olympics are four years away but Los Angeles has already lost. How can any city top Paris? Beach volleyball is in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, fencing is in the magnificent Grand Palais and archery is at Les Invalides. L.A. could hold the swimming in Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s pool and it still wouldn’t measure up.
This year’s equestrian events are being held at the Palace of Versailles, which is fitting, because more than any leader in history, Louis XVI taught us that if you care more about your horses than your people, they’ll kill you. The people, I mean.
