What does it take to host a successful Olympics? 3 key takeaways from Paris

multiple cyclists on a track (Credit: Jared C. Tilton—Getty Images)

With hundreds of medals won and a lifetime of glory to follow for winning athletes, the 17-day-long Paris Olympics is officially coming to a close.  

Athletes train for years, if not decades, in anticipation of the Games—as do its host cities. It’s no small feat to have 329 medal events across 32 different sports, about 10,000 athletes and even more while welcoming millions of visitors.