Experiencing the Thrill of the Paris Olympics: Cycling and Marathons
The Olympic Games have always fascinated me. My first memories of watching them go back to the 1984 L.A. Olympics, which I watched with my family at home in Stockton, California. Those moments left a lasting impression on me, sparking a lifelong interest in the Olympics.
While I didn’t play many video games growing up, one of the three I do remember was a Commodore 64 game called something like “Summer Olympics.” It’s hard to imagine nowadays that a computer with just 64 kilobytes of RAM could produce anything but a a pixelated mess on low-resolution 1980s-era TV, but it was absolutely playable with a joystick and very entertaining. Those experiences further fueled my love for the Games.
So, when I learned that the 2024 Olympics would be in Paris—one of my favorite cities and a neighboring country to Spain—I knew I had to take advantage of this opportunity. Much like my experience with the Tour de France earlier in the summer, I decided to see the Olympics in person for the first time.
Tickets for most events were expensive—I remember looking up how much were the least expensive available tickets for the 10,000-meter track and field finals, and they were nearly 1,000€. No thanks; at that price, I’d much rather watch them on TV where it’s easier to follow the action anyhow. But fortunately, the events I was most interested in—the cycling road races and Olympic marathons—were being held on the open streets of Paris, free for all to watch. It was the perfect setup.
Men’s Cycling Road Race
The men’s road race in Paris promised to be an unforgettable spectacle, and it delivered beyond expectations. The route concluded with three circuits through the city, including a climb up to Montmartre. I initially headed there, hoping for a good vantage point, but the crowd was so dense that it was hard to see anything. Plus, I realized the cyclists might speed by too quickly for me to catch much of the action.
So, I searched for a spot where the roads were going uphill, hoping it would slow the racers down enough to get a better view. But those areas were also packed with spectators. Eventually, I settled for a spot near the Moulin Rouge, where the crowd was a bit thinner. Luckily, the circuit allowed us to see the cyclists pass by three times, giving everyone multiple chances to witness the action.
The energy was electric, with the crowd around me fervently supporting Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel. Evenepoel, who had just won the men’s time trial gold the week before and made an impressive podium finish in his debut Tour de France, was a crowd favorite. The second time he passed by us, he was in the lead group, and by the third lap, the crowd roared, chanting “REMCO, REMCO, REMCO!” as he went by solo, leading the race.
Behind him, Valentin Madouas of France was giving chase, about a minute back. As Evenepoel powered through towards the Eiffel Tower, I dashed over to the nearby Chat Noir to catch the race’s conclusion on TV. Evenepoel secured the victory, becoming the first cyclist to win both the time trial and road race golds in the same Olympics. Madouas finished strong in second, with Christophe Laporte taking third. France taking silver and bronze was a dream come true for many local fans, I’m sure.
I later learned that Evenepoel had a dramatic moment when he flatted with just over 3 km to go. I was floored that he was using tubes instead of tubeless tires with sealant, but his 51-year-old mechanic’s swift response saved the day.
It was a historic moment for cycling and especially for 24-year-old Evenepoel, capping off an incredible year in his young career. Watching this live in Paris was nothing short of exhilarating.
Men’s cycling road race results
Zac Williams’s amazing photos from the Olympic road races
Women’s Olympic Cycling Road Race
Going into the women’s road race, I initially assumed it would be dominated by the usual stars from the Netherlands or Belgium, like Marianne Vos. Vos, a cycling legend, was indeed leading the race with Blanka Vas of Hungary during the last hours of the race. I hadn’t planned to follow the women’s event as closely, thinking it would be predictable, but it quickly turned into one of the most thrilling races of the Olympics.
To my utter amazement, I saw how Kirsten Faulkner of the United States, who wasn’t even originally supposed to be in the race, collaborated with Lotte Kopecky of Belgium to close the gap to Vos and Vas. When they finally bridged up to the leaders, Faulkner unhesitantly launched a stunning attack that immediately distanced her competitors. Watching her break away, I couldn’t help but stand up and cheer, clapping enthusiastically, much to the amusement or bewilderment of neighboring French folks, I’m sure.
Faulkner then went into time trial mode on her colorful Cannondale SuperSix, holding her lead all the way to the finish line while never looking back. She ultimately finished a whopping 58 seconds on her nearest competitors. Yet, she didn’t even make any celebratory gestures after crossing the line at full speed—she just kept riding, as if unsure that she had just won Olympic gold! When she finally did stop, she wrapped herself in an American flag, with the Eiffel Tower in the background, creating a moment that seemed straight out of a sports movie.
What made this victory even more remarkable was Faulkner’s story. Initially, she wasn’t on the start list; she only got the chance to race because Taylor Knibb chose to focus on her triathlon preparations and gave up her spot. Faulkner, a Harvard-educated venture capitalist and calculating risk taker, combined her mental and physical prowess to outsmart and outmuscle her rivals. Her focus and tactical racing were masterful, as she stayed cool under pressure and avoided the mistake of premature celebration that many cyclists (like Lorena Wiebes and Lennert van Eetvelt) have committed.
Faulkner’s performance was an inspiring display of both brains and brawn. It was a reminder that sometimes, the most unlikely competitors can rise to the occasion when given a chance. Her triumph not only added to the excitement of the women’s race but also showcased the depth of talent in American cycling.
Women’s cycling road race results
Men’s Olympic Marathon
The men’s marathon was another event I eagerly anticipated, especially because of the presence of long-distance legends like Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele and Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge. Their rivalry has been a storyline in sport for two whole decades, and I couldn’t wait for them to compete in the Olympics one last time.
I got up early to go to the start of the race in front of L’Hôtel de Ville. As you can tell from the video I took below, I got a good spot.
After seeing that, I made my way over to the 42-km mark near Hôtel des Invalides. While waiting, I kept track of the race through the official Olympics app and the LetsRun.com forum to get live updates.
Unfortunately, Kipchoge started experiencing severe back pain around the 30-km mark, which eventually compelled him to pull out of the race after the last-place runner caught up to him. He walked off the course, taking off his shoes and shirt and giving them to fans who were walking with him—a gracious exit but a disappointing end to his Olympic journey. Personally, I would have much rather see the marathon GOAT (Greatest of All Time) limp and hobble across the finish line in last place than to not finish for the first time in a marathon; I think it would have made for a truly inspiring sight regardless of his completion time.
Bekele also didn’t have his best day, but he at least he pushed through to the finish line, showcasing his determination and resilience. The day’s biggest story, however, was Tamirat Tola. Initially an alternate for the Ethiopian team, he only got the call-up when Sisay Lemma withdrew due to injury two weeks before the race. Tola sprinted to the finish line with remarkable energy, winning the gold.
I was also thrilled to see American runners Clayton Young and Connor Mantz both finish in the Top 10. Even though Bekele came in 39th, it was still incredible to witness one of the greatest distance runners of all time competing on this grand stage.
Women’s Olympic Marathon
The women’s marathon was another event that had its share of drama and surprises. At the 1-km mark, I spotted Fiona O’Keeffe, a fellow Stanford alum, already lagging far behind in last place and visibly struggling. It was tough to watch her hobbling so early in the race. She ultimately pulled out before reaching the 5 km mark.
O’Keeffe’s decision to start despite her injury was unfortunate, as she could have given her spot to Jess McClain, another Stanford alum who surely have been more competitive and had even flown to Paris at the last minute in case she was called up. This missed opportunity reminded me of how alternates like Tamirat Tola in the men’s marathon and Kirsten Faulkner in the women’s cycling race seized their moments when given the chance.
After watching the start, I moved to the 41.5-km mark, where I was surrounded by a group of Dutch fans rooting for Sifan Hassan. Once again, I read race updates on the LetsRun.com forum while I waited.
Eventually, the leading pack came into view, with marathon world-record holder Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia, Hellen Obiri of Kenya, Sifan Hassan, and Sharon Lokedi of Kenya all tightly bunched together.
In the final sprint, Sifan Hassan emerged victorious, displaying incredible speed and determination. It was a thrilling finish to a highly competitive race. Among the Americans, Dakotah Lindworm had a standout performance, leading parts of the race before finishing strong, while Emily Sisson also put in a solid effort, completing the race in under 2:30.
Kudos goes to last-place finisher Kingzang Lhamo of Bhutan. While some people might have mocked her 3:52:59 (a time I could have comfortably beaten myself), she truly embodied the Olympic spirit and got a well-deserved standing ovation at the end for finishing. I couldn’t help but think this is what Eliud Kipchoge should have done instead of dropping out.
Conclusion
Attending the Paris Olympics in person was another bucket-list experience of the summer. The thrill of watching these historic races live, especially the cycling road races, made this trip unforgettable. If I could do it again, I would plan even better to secure prime viewing spots and make sure I had reliable access to live coverage while on the go.
The next Olympics are set to be in Los Angeles, 44 years after I first watched the Games on TV as a boy. Who knows—maybe I’ll get another chance to witness history unfold right in my birth country.
