the five highlights of the parade of champions Saturday on the Champs-Elysées – Libération

This time it’s there. The Paris Games are definitely over. Begun under downpours of water, the 33rd olympiads organized in France concluded under a blue sky, for one last afternoon of celebration. There were obviously “Léons” (Marchand), “Félix” (Lebrun), “Antoine” (Dupont) but also “Aurélie” (Aubert), many “Marie-Jo” (Pérec). “Tony” (Estanguet), but few “Emmanuel” (Macron) or “Michel” (Barnier). There were hundreds of supporters in blue, white and red, swarms of red phryges and smiles everywhere. Libé summarizes this Olympic celebration Saturday in five notable moments.

Teddy Riner Commander of the National Order of Merit

Was it because of his unusual decoration that Teddy Riner was the only athlete to wear a dark blue suit? “Thank you thank you thank you”throws the judoka to the crowd who scream in return «Teddy, Teddy, Teddy !!!» On Saturday, he was the star among stars. Golden in London (2012), Rio (2016) and Paris (2024), the French judo legend, already distinguished knight (2013) and officer (2021) of the Legion of Honor, was the only one to be able to be promoted to the rank of Commander of the National Order of Merit. Before that, he had to kiss the president, who couldn’t help but put his tie back on. Before finally presenting him with the distinction under the Arc de Triomphe, among the other medalists. And to the cheers of the crowd.

The parade, still too short

However, there was the precedent of 2018, when the bus carrying the world champion football Blues, on these same Champs, passed at high speed on the artery, causing distress among the public, who had waited hours for n ‘only enjoy it for a few minutes. This time, the large 280 meter long catwalk on which the athletes paraded had to make the parade much longer so that the public could take in their gaze. In reality, it was still a bit short. And if it was impossible to miss big Teddy, some struggled to recognize Léon Marchand or Antoine Dupont in the middle of the hundred athletes wearing the same white tracksuit with the French Team logo.

The joy and… nostalgia of athletes

They unanimously loved it. Medal carefully placed in the left pocket, fencer Enzo Lefort validates the parade: “It prolongs the party a little and above all it relaxes. We see this as an opportunity for people who have not been able to taste the magic of the Games to experience its purest essence. It’s so good”enthuses the bronze medalist in team foil. “We are very moved. We have been waiting for the Games for years. There was great skepticism among French society and athletes. Now, to finish this party with everyone to close it all with everyone is great,” smiled Nelia Barbosa, silver last week in para-canoeing. The Paralympic vice-champion already feels a lot of nostalgia. “I realize how lucky I am, how much this will mark my life.”

The French public, always and again at the top

Many of them came to cheer their summer heroes one last time. And once again, the 70,000 people drawn at random to participate in the event for free were up to the task. Leaning against one of the gates overlooking the Place de l’Etoile, Nana exults. The 23-year-old young woman, an AI consultant from Vélizy (Yvelines) “made the most of it” from JO “We vibrated with the Olympic and Paralympic athletes, some with incredible stories”remembers the one who “refreshed” constantly check the Paris town hall page as soon as the ticket office opens to be sure of getting access to the parade. “It was impossible that I wasn’t there!” Nicolas, 47, couldn’t miss the procession on the avenue with his two daughters: his wife is in it and walks with the Paris 2024 volunteers. “It’s the culmination of two months of work for her. It was a big sacrifice during this period with night shifts. It’s a nice recognition. Parade on the Champs, it’s a beautiful symbol.”

The emotion of Marie-José Pérec

«Marie-Jo! Marie-Jo!» Impossible for the person clustered behind the ribbons to miss Marie-José Pérec on the Champs. Dressed in an entirely red costume, the Olympic champion, final bearer of the flame during the opening ceremony, monopolized the attention as much as she benefited from the event. “We have to keep these moments in mind”insisted the Guadeloupean, not without emotion. “I lived my best life! How good is it to experience these Games vicariously?she laughs, while repeating her pride in the athletes. “It was fabulous, thank you.”