We have finally approached the end of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Through this experience, I have made many new friends and memories. I have seen the Olympics through a different lens that expanded my understanding of sports management and the Olympic Movement.
The best part of the final days here was seeing the International Broadcasting Center. It was interesting to see the number of people and TV screens for broadcasting. I always watched NBC for the Olympics, but seeing all the other broadcast and commentating sites was unbelievable. We got to see how the new AI technology shows replays and breakdowns of plays during matches. This was a true behind-the-scenes moment of the Olympics.
Another highlight of the week was going to the Olympic Village. All the flags and decorations outside of every team’s apartments were special. It is exciting to know that all the housing will be converted into community housing after the Olympics as a component of the Paris Organizing Committee’s legacy. We also found a café in the Village with the famous chocolate muffin that athletes shared on social media. It was delicious, and I understand all the attention it is getting now.
Finally, another remarkable moment was the class cruise along the Seine. We experienced the best views along the Seine, like Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. The most beautiful view was the rings on the Eiffel Tower at night. I thought about our speaker event with Michael Payne, who coordinated the first time the rings were placed on an iconic structure in the 2000 Sydney Games on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The rings on the Eiffel Tower became a moment I looked forward to seeing every chance I got, especially when the hour hit at night when it would sparkle.
I look forward to what LA28 will bring and hope to have a role in the Games as I did in Paris. This experience was once in a lifetime, and I could not be more grateful for the memories I made along the way. I want to thank all my classmates and professors for making this trip unforgettable!