Paris Olympics: Excitement and Challenges in Host Cities

Liberté, egalité … fraternité? Conflict looms large as Paris ... to Olympics

The Paris Olympics aims to recapture the spirit of past Games, with a spectacular opening ceremony and events staged at iconic Parisian landmarks. However, the Games face challenges including terrorism threats, high ticket prices, and political tensions. Key athletes to watch include swimmer Adam Peaty, diver Tom Daley, gymnast Simone Biles, British triathlete Alex Yee, British swimmer Matt Richards, British pole vaulter Molly Caudery, British cyclist Emma Finucane, British 1500m world champion Josh Kerr, Norwegian 1500m Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Canadian teen swimmer Summer McIntosh, American swimmer Katie Ledecky, French rugby player Antoine Dupont, French swimmer Léon Marchand, and French 7ft 4in basketball player Victor Wembanyama. The women's marathon will be staged on the route of the 1789 Women's March on Versailles, invoking the revolutionary ideals of Liberté, egalité, fraternité. But whether the Olympics can truly live up to those principles remains to be seen.