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Cliff Buddle

The Games have begun and there is more at stake than the winning of medals, amid hopes the Summer Olympics in Paris will mark the beginning of a new era.
This time, the world’s biggest sporting festival has been hailed as more sustainable and inclusive than in the past.
The aim is to attract a new generation of fans at a critical time for the Olympic movement, amid concerns about the crippling cost of hosting the event and its impact on both the environment and residents of host cities.
An ambitious opening ceremony certainly marked a departure from the past. Sadly, the organisers could not control the weather. In the end, it was more a case of “the Olympic Rains”.
Thousands of athletes sailed in an unprecedented flotilla along the River Seine. They did not allow the constant deluge to dampen their excitement. It was an uplifting sight.
The relatively small Hong Kong team, sandwiched in between Honduras and Hungary, waved enthusiastically.
Meanwhile, a colourful spectacle unfolded on the banks and bridges of the river, showcasing French culture. There was much singing (and dancing) in the rain, with Lady Gaga and Celine Dion among the highlights.
Themes, including freedom, inclusivity and feminism struck a timely chord, especially with the far-right making political gains in Europe.
But the ceremony, dragging on for four hours, became a marathon. Many soaked spectators and sodden athletes left before the end. At least the finale, with the famous cauldron installed in an air balloon, was worth waiting for.
It is 100 years since the last Summer Olympics in Paris and parallels have, understandably, been drawn. The 1924 Games was made famous by the hit 1981 film Chariots of Fire, which told the inspiring story of two British sprinters.
But those Games were memorable in other ways. They marked a turning point for the Olympics movement, forged in Paris in 1894, but struggling to make a mark in the aftermath of World War I.
The Paris Games featured the first Olympic Village and a dramatic expansion in the number of competing nations. Women athletes were beginning to make their mark, with 135 competing. This was still less than 5 per cent and they were limited to certain events.
Live radio broadcasts of the Games took them to a wider audience, for the first time, spawning new sports stars, including US swimmer Johnny Weissmuller whose subsequent acting career saw him star in 12 Tarzan films.
There are hopes the 2024 Games will, similarly, drive the movement forward and ensure it meets modern challenges. It needs to be relevant, especially to the young. Global television audiences have been declining.
For the first time, near parity has been achieved between the men and women competing. Costs have been controlled and much has been made of the sustainability of the event.
But the Games have already been beset by problems, notably the coordinated arson attacks on national railways that caused travel chaos on the eve of the event. There has been a pitch invasion at a football match, complaints about poor food in the Olympic Village and concerns over the impact of the festival on the lives of Parisians.
No Olympics escapes controversy. Whether a new era dawns remains to be seen. But there is no doubting the excitement generated, including in Hong Kong, where Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has called on the city to become “cheerleaders” for the team.
Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, used his speech at the opening ceremony to tell the athletes they are part of an event “that unites the world in peace”.
Sadly, as history has shown, even a sports event on this scale cannot solve global problems or resolve conflicts. But the breaking down of barriers, bringing together the world’s youth in friendly competition, remains as important today as it ever has.
As Bach said, it is a time to celebrate the joy of sport and have faith in the future.


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Paris 2024 Olympic Games

The Games is a time to celebrate sport and have faith in the future

People pose for photos with the Olympic rings in Paris on July 26, 2024. Photo: Kyodo

Paris Olympics: China’s teen shooting sensations grab gold, vow ‘this is just the beginning’

Gold medalists Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao pose with their medals after winning the mixed team 10m air rifle event. Photo: EPA-EFE

Chang Yani (right) and Chen Yiwen perform during the women’s synchronised 3m springboard final. Photo: Xinhua

Siobhan Haughey at her ‘best’ ahead of Paris Olympic Games, says Hong Kong star’s coach

Siobhan Haughey is in her best form yet as she looks to compete for medals at the Paris Olympic Games. Photo: Tom Rushton


Siobhan Haughey has been training hard as she looks to get on the podium at the Paris Olympics. Photo: Tom Rushton

Siobhan Haughey is at her second Olympic Games which makes her more accustomed to life in the Village. Photo: Tom Rushton

Siobhan Haughey’s coach has no concerns of his pupil’s flag bearing duties during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Photo: Tom Rushton

Fan Zhendong: China’s persistent table tennis sensation completes grand slam in Paris

Fan Zhendong celebrates after winning a gold medal, which saw him complete a grand slam in table tennis. Photo: Xinhua

A young Fan Zhendong celebrates after beating Liam Pitchford to win the ITTF Qatar Open in Doha in 2020. Photo: Xinhua

China’s Fan Zhendong celebrates beating Taiwan’s Lin Yun-ju to reach the final at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Kyodo

Fan Zhendong conquered in Paris to add the only major piece of silverware missing from his collection. Photo: Xinhua

Ma Long beat Fan Zhendong to win men’s singles Olympic gold in 2021. Photo: AFP

5 Olympic Games and world records likely to be challenged in Paris

Shericka Jackson (left) won the 200 metres at the 2023 World Championships and is looking to break the world record in Paris. Photo: AP

US sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner’s 200-metre world record set in 1988 is one of the oldest on the track. Photo: AP

Faith Kipyegon winning her first gold medal in 2016. She could become the first woman to win three 1,500m golds in a row. Photo: Reuters

Sweden’s Armand Duplantis with his World Athletics Championships men’s pole vault gold medal. Photo: DPA

Canadian swim sensation Summer McIntosh is looking to make more records tumble at the Paris Games. Photo: AP

China’s Olympic debutant Pan Zhanle is in contention to break the world record held by Caeleb Dressel. Photo: Xinhua

China’s CCTV stunned into silence with LGBTQ scene at Paris Olympics opening ceremony

Performers of all kind paid tribute to various aspects of French culture at the Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony. Photo: Reuters

Opinion

A sports event cannot solve global problems. But the breaking down of barriers, and the friendly competition, remain as important today as they ever have


A sports event cannot solve global problems. But the breaking down of barriers, and the friendly competition, remain as important today as they ever have.


Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

My Take

My Take | The Games is a time to celebrate sport and have faith in the future

A sports event cannot solve global problems. But the breaking down of barriers, and the friendly competition, remain as important today as they ever have