More than 10 million Olympics fans have flocked to France from every corner of the globe. RFI dove into the festive frenzy – catching up with revelers from Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Taiwan, South Africa, India and of course the vibrant host nation itself.
Infectious laughter and songs by Thiago, Fael, Manu, Lula and Gaby can be heard from afar. They brought the legendary Brazilian party spirit to the streets of Paris.
The five friends travelled from Rio de Janeiro to support the 277 Brazilian athletes competing in the 2024 Olympic Games. They are part of the Movimento Verde Amarelo, the official fan club of the Brazilian Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
They are also musicians, performing for the thousands of supporters gathering everyday at the Brazil fan zone. After entertaining fans, the tireless artists usually hit Parisian jazz clubs where they will be jamming.
Jesus is a young Colombian from Cartegena who is studying in France. His role model is artistic gymnast Angel Barajas, who at 17 won Colombia's first gymnastic medal.
Filled with pride, Jesus tells the story of Barajas, who grew up in a single parent household with scarce resources.
Barajas's coach, Jesus added, even sold his car to buy training equipment for his protege. His mother and brother worked very hard to support the gymnast.
At the next table, four other Colombians from Cali are on tenterhooks while watching the men's finals for weightlifting. Miguel and Laura yell in despair as Colombian athlete Luis Mosquera failed to carry more weight.
Israel, Hilda and Ernesto spent six "wonderful" days in Paris going to Olympic sports events. Residents of Mexico city, they spent the last 10 months preparing their first Olympics.
Hilda and her boyfriend Israel, both judokas, partcularly enjoyed the judo competitions as well as the female rugby sevens. Back in Mexico, all three miss Paris, "an amazing city", the "awesome" Eiffel Tower, long walks and croissants for breakfast.
What will stay with them is the "incredible" sense of brotherhood among strangers, the celebratory atmosphere of the Paris Games.
Kevin, Yu and Hao travelled from Taipei to support the 60 Chinese Taipei athletes competing at the Paris Olympics.
Tai Tzu Ying, female badminton player, inspires many Taiwanese with her indomitabe spirit. The three young men said that she is the incarnation of Chinese Taipei's combative character. The athlete gave her best despite both knees being injured.
She told her fans she was unable to walk until she reached the court and will retire at the end of the year.
South African fan, Nobuntu, finds the Paris Games "pretty amazing". She met Ryan Murphy and Torri Huske, American swimmers, while working at a hotel where the athletes are staying.
The young student, who is working to pay for her studies, made a card for Murphy to congratulate him upon becoming a first time dad. This would be her fondest souvenir of Paris 2024.
At South Africa's Ekhaya House for fans, she danced and sung non-stop during singer Bucie's live performance.
"She reminds me of my childhood in Soweto," she said. "I enjoyed her songs then and can still enjoy them now. Superman is my staple song."
India House appears to be the rendezvous of homesick Indians and Bangladeshis living in Paris. Music roars every evening, accompanying exuberant dancers swiveling their hips to the beat of live Indian music.
Fevin, Disha, and Sally simply love the venue as it reminds them of home. "The smell of the food, the electric ambiance, the music, we missed all that so much," the three students said.
Outside India House, some Bangladeshi workers who cannot afford the five euros entry fees are enjoying the loud music while timidly dancing to the rythm of Raghu Dixit's songs.
French super fans Axelle and Pauline have been to the last two Olympic Games in London, 2012 and Rio, 2016. They had to cancel Tokyo, in 2020, because of Covid.
Axelle's love story with boyfriend Vincent was born during the London Olympics. "We were young, we had no money, but we crossed the Channel anyway," she laughed.
The two physiotherapists said the "exceptionally happy mood" of Paris 2024 makes them proud to be French.
"I was worried because we just came out of tensed elections and France has a habit of shooting itself in the foot," said Axelle. "But it is a resounding success."
Both women are impressed by the mental strength of the French Judo team. "They held on till they won."
Exuberant brothers Marc and Thomas are also celebrating team France. Marc, student and amateur triathlete, said the best moment of these Olympics was when he sang La Marseillaise, the French national anthem, with cyclist, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, after she clinched the gold medal.
American rapper Snoop Dogg is one among the millions of fans attending Paris 2024. The internationally reknowned singer and producer, who also carried the Olympic torch in France, is everywhere on social media.
From swimming with Michael Phelps, dancing with Simone Biles or commenting the Paris Games for the American NBC network, Snoop has been firmly in the spotlight – and is tipped to be performing at the closing ceremony on Sunday.
