Summer Olympics Trip: An American in Paris

Roland Garros, Summer Olympics, Nadal's Last Paris Match?

Over a year of planning to finish off my tennis bucket list.

Mascot, mom, and me. Opening Ceremony on the Seine

Last May, I woke up at 4AM for lottery tickets. Got my mom and myself seats along the Seine!

I wore my TeamUSA Tennis polo from a few Olympics at the opening ceremony and made sure my mom had the official swag to go for this big, once-in-a-lifetime event.

Cat A - the single most expensive pair of tickets (publically available) for any Olympic Event
After about an hour of fancy security checkpoints, we finally reached the river and boardwalk. From where we sat, the Eiffel Tower and the American Church (green spire) were visible in the background. We are basically on the banks of the river situated next to the ceremonial USA House official float.

As we walked pass the USA House pier, I inquired about one of their colleagues who would be there.

Pins and stickers from the US Olympic and Paralympic Foundation (Colorado Springs)

She was in the Major Gifts charity department, also based in Southern California. One of the ladies said she knew of two different Kates -one was who sent me the US pins to bring with me to trade!

The USA House is basically the American Olympic Village. Staffed by the amazing folks of USOPC.
TeamUSA supports our nation's Olympic athletes at every Olympics - both Summer and Winter - from training to trials to tournaments.

Check out their official LA 2028 Olympic gear!

The performance polos are the most functional (usually sold out or on a waitlist). The big hot items are the homecoming for LA 2028. Returning to the States and the 3rd time for Los Angeles, California.

Cameras were everywhere. Choreographed sequences were set at every major lock of the Seine. Performers, actors, and celebrities were all staged for key moments of this international event.

Around the globe, in every time zone, billions of people were watching it all play out.

Being part of the boat parade of countries floating down the river was an honor. Many smaller nations shared a boat together. Exhibition performances were happening for miles, stretched out along the riverside. I saw a lot of flags, friends, and families who had waited years for this day.

When Spain was introduced, I found it odd that I did not spot Rafa on board...

Later that night, I discovered why.

At the Eiffel Tower - I watched the French soccer star, Zinedine Zidane receive the torch from a hooded character (who looked like someone from the Assasin's Creed game).

Zidane walks down the Trocadero with the torch Then, who does he pass the flame to...?

None other than Rafael Nadal!!

Rafa accepted it with a smile, a hug, and such a loud crowd roar!

Even the commentators hinted he might be the one to light it.

That should have been the best lighting ceremony epic moment right there, in my opinion.


But instead, he gets on a speedboat. Two tennis GOATs Nadal and Serena. They rode on a speedboat back down the Seine as part of a procession of torchbearers all the way to the ballon blimp.

The show was even more spectacular on TV.

Can you imagine holding onto a propane torch with the light of the Olympics in your hands while on a speed boat? Combined with wet and windy conditions - they had to carry in hand the torch's open flame while it was whipping around them at their hair level...it could have gone very bad.


The rains got steady and heavy at that point.

That night, I'm certain every country's athletes got soaking wet.

The rain just never stopped. Ranging from drizzle to torrent sheets of water.

Only a few minutes of reprieve in between. Everyone was absolutely soaked. Yet many stayed! 

Walking many kilometers between the subway and the Seine along FDR Drive.

I'll forever share those memories from that night with every athlete and fan there.


Olympic Rings at Roland Garros

USA and Spain

My mom's first trip to Europe. Her first live pro tennis match

TLDR;

Waking up at 4AM for tickets. Researching the top events. Olympic Tennis at Roland Garros.

My mom's first time in Europe. Scheduling in day trips. The monsoon that was the opening ceremony. Tennis  GOATs, Sports Legends, all boats on the Seine.

Walking in Lyon among the old town for a quieter side of France. The French train disasters leading up to and during the Olympics. Missing a diving competition. Expect strikes or delays.


Taking my mom to her first tennis event ever at Roland Garros. Watching the tennis gold, silver, and bronze medalists. Celebrating with TeamUSA fans at the swimming arena and next to the raised flags for the podium medal ceremonies.


Inspiration and National Symbolism

The aura of the Olympics. The flame and the meaning of its legacy. For the hosting nation for its showcase year is the true benefit. The Games have united a World and rekindled the spirit of brotherhood. Shining publically for the World to see for a few weeks. Sports as diplomacy.

The athletes dedicate themselves every 4 years to dedicate their entire lives and childhood dreams to represent their nation. Their friends and families travel halfway around the world to see them accomplish their athletic dreams in front of the whole world.

The Golden Slam accomplished by Djokovic was historic and a fitting tennis ending.

2028 Olympics returning to the USA!

The Hollywood-LA 2028 Games will be movie magic.

From SF to LA, much of California will participate in the festival.

Los Angeles will host the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and then Superbowl in 2027.

Plenty of dress rehearsals to welcome the World to our home.


Why LA is better for sports and global tourism

  • Weather
    • Most outdoor events won't be delayed in the land of 300 annual days of sunshine.
    • In France, we experienced very hot 95+ degree days plus rain delays at many events.
    • Air conditioning is not banned
  • Transportation
    • French bus/train strikes were very common and disruptive, from traveling 3 different years
    • Riding on the SNCF, we were delayed over 5 hours going to Paris (over 800K passengers)
    • Charles De Gaule Airport (the maze and labyrinth)
  • Geography and Sights
    • Events will be much more spread out; leading to fewer gridlocked security zones.
    • In Paris, most restaurants and shop owners saw revenue drop 50% in the Summer of 2024
    • The main Paris tourist sights were all clustered in tight security parameters with various rules and lockdown regulations that confused or scared away most tourists
  • English Speakers
    • The most widely spoken language among countries in the World
    • French is spoken by less than 4% of the World
    • Important to have volunteers and staff from other continents (Europe, Australia, Asia)
  • International Appeal
    • Natural beauty of the American West and National Parks
    • Amazing beaches and more capacity to handle international travelers
    • Visiting other US cities for a perfect family summer vacation in July

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