Seldom have the streets of Paris exuded so much fervour. The rallying call of the Olympic Games has transformed the atmosphere of a country which has yet to appoint a new government after the political turmoil of these past months. But all ills are now forgotten in the city of light, be it for a fortnight. Athletes, international delegations and tourists roam the streets of the capital as every café broadcasts the multiple events taking place across the monument studded landscape. But the unexpected winners of the games are the Parisians themselves. Most apprehensive before the ceremony which saw ten thousand sportsmen sail up the Seine, they are now at the heart of the whirlwind of olympic emotions. Paris was, for a short lapse, united and overjoyed of being once again the center of the world. A love letter to Paris.
For the first time in Olympic history, a marathon was organised for non-professional athletes. More than 20.000 ran across the capital under the cover of darkness, illuminated by the glorious monuments. Here, a couple of runners fell asleep on the ba
A member of the Dutch Hockey Team proudly showcases her gold medal to a crowd of enthusiastic passerby in the Louvre.
The “Marathon for all” followed the same course as the official Olympic marathon, and was open to all, a reminder of the diversity represented by the games.
City of love. A young couple on the “Pont des arts”; shade offered by a bamboo hat in the blistering August heat.
Flag of the participating countries sold between the arcades of the rue the Rivoli.
A sporting excitation has seemingly taken over the French. Young people are here playing badminton underneath the arcades of the St. Sulpice church. Seemingly, using the monuments of Paris as sporting arenas gave Parisians a few ideas to reappropria
On the banks of the Seine, the celebrations continue. Crowds of Parisians gather to dance to rock and jazz under the shade of the platane trees.
A marching band rests after entertaining the numerous crowds gathered every night on the terraces of cafés, at first to watch the games and thegn to drink until the early hours
Café de Paris. Marathon runners blend in with their surroundings.
The Olympic flame flies high above Paris. An assembly of locals and visitors alike gathers each dusk to watch the balloon rise into the sunset. Here, a Hungarian spectator wearing a traditional Magyar conical hat.