Falling in love with Paris 2024
Chele Crawley
Falling head over heels in Paris, the Olympic Games are an exhilarating rush of love for Ireland. As a long-suffering Mayo GAA supporter, I can honestly say that I witnessed the best sporting weeks of my life at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
From the dizzy heights of Ireland’s historic medal success to the nerve-wracking dog fights to qualify for a final, to the brutal exit of sporting hopefuls and the tension in those final moments before a race finish, the revival of the ancient Panhellenic Games has it all in spades. Absolutely mystifying and electric, even from the comfort of your front room, but even more scintillating in the arenas and venues themselves.
That emotional rollercoaster began at Stade Nautique at Vaires-Sur-Marne, where I saw Liam Jegou, Irish canoeist, qualify and compete in the final of the C1 Canoe Slalom. The Clare native was having one of the best runs of his life on the whitewater feature, eyeing up a silver medal when he agonisingly missed out by hitting the final of 23 gates on the course. Liam may have come seventh after a time penalty, but the bellowing roar from the Irish in the stand sang another tune – one of absolute pride!
The Irish crowd was unmissable at the rowing events too; bedecked in a sea of green, white and gold. We could have been in Skibbereen only for the fact that the sweltering midday heat was beating down on us.
‘Pull like a dog!’ was the resounding chorus as Ireland triumphed in securing spots in four rowing finals. The international fans around us could see we were no underdogs! Our sled dogs meant business on the water. It was wonderful to be congratulated by the French as though we had been in the boat ourselves. The only water we could feel was the sort dripping down our foreheads in the 30-plus degree temperatures.
As the week progressed and success grew, first with Mona, and then Daniel, expectancy reached fever pitch. O’Sullivan’s Bar in Montmartre, AKA Team Irish House was buzzing with delirium as fans and athletes alike celebrated in the clubhouse that doubled as a pub.
Live music rang out, pints of the black stuff in full flow, and strangers embracing one another as they revelled in our sporting glory. It was like Coppers after an all-Ireland final! United by our passports and love affair with the Tricolour. And boy is there a sense of unity in gathering together in one place, at one time, with one voice willing your fellow countryman or woman to succeed.
Cheers of joy for Dáire Lynch and Philip Doyle as they strode into the Irish headquarters with bronze medals around their necks. And like any vice, once hooked, we wanted more and Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy delivered for us next morning, retaining their Olympic title.
Amidst the dizzying highs came bittersweet moments. Tom Fannon blasted the new Irish record in the 50 metre men’s freestyle semi-final, but failed to reach the final. That’s when the magnitude of these events becomes apparent. I wanted to jump out of my seat and throw my arms around the swimmer and as a real mammy, tell him he did the nation proud. That’s sport for you!
Paris is known for being a city of love and it didn’t fail me; I came away from Paris besotted with Team Ireland and what they have achieved.
Chele Crawley is a member of Inklings Writing Group, who meet on Tuesdays 11am, at Annebrook House Hotel.