It Was Stressful, but We Did It, Paris 2024 Olympics Organizers Say

 A worker takes down Olympic signage from the pontoon used for swim events along the Seine River ahead of tomorrow's closing ceremony at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP)
A worker takes down Olympic signage from the pontoon used for swim events along the Seine River ahead of tomorrow's closing ceremony at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP)
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It Was Stressful, but We Did It, Paris 2024 Olympics Organizers Say

 A worker takes down Olympic signage from the pontoon used for swim events along the Seine River ahead of tomorrow's closing ceremony at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP)
A worker takes down Olympic signage from the pontoon used for swim events along the Seine River ahead of tomorrow's closing ceremony at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP)

What started with a major security scare and torrential rain that threatened the smooth running of the elaborate opening ceremony and swimming events being held in the Seine, ended with the river playing its expected central part in the Olympics.

Paris 2024 organizing committee president Tony Estanguet said it had been stressful and adjustments had had to be made, but the triple Olympic champion was beaming with pride as he reflected on Saturday on a successful Games.

"The ambition we had was worth fighting for, we made strong choices, bold choices that are not always the easiest ones," Estanguet told a press conference a day before the Games end.

The Games, with iconic Parisian landmarks integrated in many urban competition venues, have scored strong ratings in key markets, including in the United States for rights holder NBCUniversal, the biggest single source of revenues for the International Olympic Committee.

Organizers had decided marathon swimming and the swimming legs of the triathlon would take place on the Seine, just like the globally acclaimed opening ceremony - the first time one had been held outside a stadium.

And while training sessions and were delayed and the men's triathlon was pushed back due to concerns over the water quality after heavy rain, the events that had been due to happen in the river did go ahead.

"Swimming in the river Seine, we have faced challenges but we did it, we delivered this ambition, that's why it's a fantastic success so far," Estanguet said.

"We've had so much rain (on opening ceremony day), it was not the plan. We had anticipated some rain but we've had to adjust in the final hours and change a lot of things so that this ceremony could happen.

"Yes, I was stressed because I did not know to what extent the artists would manage to adapt to these crazy condition. It was quite an achievement from them."

GLOBAL RATINGS

The weather complicated the ambition to swim in the Seine.

"We had no guarantees on storms, some of them were not anticipated and happened, others were anticipated and did not happen," Estanguet said.

"We were not spared," Paris 2024 CEO Etienne Thobois said. "We had contingency plans and every time we were ready. There were moments of stress but everyone reacted with professionalism. The preparation work was perfect."

Security was another major challenge. Saboteurs struck France's TGV high-speed train network in a series of pre-dawn attacks across the country, causing travel chaos on the morning of the opening ceremony.

"Let's remember those attacks, we responded swiftly, the accreditation system was impacted (by a cyber attack) but we solved the problem within four hours," Thobois said.

The Games were also rated as a success by the IOC, with the Paris Games coordination commission chief Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant praising organizers for the venues, full stadiums and satisfying global ratings.

"If there had been an audacious, daring script for these Games it would have read like that. These Games have set a high benchmark," Beckers-Vieujant told the IOC session on Saturday.

"The Games have truly been embraced by Parisians ... Indeed by the whole world. More than half of the worldwide population will have followed in some form the Olympic Games over the past two weeks."



Renard Confirms Saudi National Team's Readiness for the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup

The Saudi team is set to face Bahrain on Sunday - SPA
The Saudi team is set to face Bahrain on Sunday - SPA
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Renard Confirms Saudi National Team's Readiness for the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup

The Saudi team is set to face Bahrain on Sunday - SPA
The Saudi team is set to face Bahrain on Sunday - SPA

French coach Hervé Renard has confirmed the Saudi national football team's readiness to compete in the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait, from 21 December 2024 to 3 January 2025, and stressed that the team aims to achieve great results, rather than merely gain experience.
Renard also said the tournament is a valuable opportunity to enhance the players' technical and physical capabilities, SPA reported.
Speaking at a press conference, Renard said: "We are here to participate effectively and win. This tournament provides a great platform to work with the players and prepare them for future competitions."
Regarding the team's condition, Renard said that player Hassan Tambakti is ready for action, while Salem Al-Dawsari is "working on regaining full fitness".

He commended Al-Dawsari for his dedication to speeding up his recovery. Meanwhile, Firas Al-Brikan is dealing with an injury, and his availability will depend on further evaluations, said Renard.
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Renard said: "I accepted this challenge because I believe in the players' capabilities. We must work with team spirit and focus on improvement in the coming period."
As far as the team's opening match against Bahrain is concerned, Renard said: "We are preparing for a tough game. The preparation period was crucial, and our focus now is on delivering a strong performance."
The Saudi team is set to face Bahrain on Sunday in what promises to be an exciting start to their Gulf Cup matches. Both teams are eager to make a strong impression in their opening match.