A 2024 OLYMPIC JOURNAL: JASON MCGILL SHARES THE SIGHTS AND VIBE OF PARIS

By Jason McGill, DLE Creative Assistant and Former DLE College Intern

Put me in, coach!

At the end of July, I had the amazing opportunity to be in Paris for the start of the 2024 Olympics while visiting a friend! I had visited the city during my freshman year of college while studying in Strasbourg, however I never really saw the city’s sparkle and vibe so elevated by this astounding worldwide event.

Attending the women’s rugby quarter finals at the massive Stade de France in Saint-Denis, I was overwhelmed by the size and energy of the crowd. People from all corners of the world and walks of life were cheering for the proud athletes representing their home countries. With every match, it was evident that each country’s team put forth their best effort. To my delight, Team USA won their match in an exhilarating battle versus Great Britain.

My travels delivered memories to savor for a lifetime. Sorting through the best of the best, here are my top five highlights:

1. Cheering on the USA women’s rugby team as they defeated Great Britain to advance to the semi-finals before claiming the gold medal
2. Meeting people from all around the world and seeing the many flags from across the globe
3. Tasting a delicious and refreshing non-alcoholic, French-made beer
4. Taking selfies just about everywhere, inspired by the energy of the crowds
5. Documenting and sharing my awesome experience on video and DLE Instagram stories.

As if this trip couldn’t be topped, it actually was! I had the good fortune of scoring an incredible deal on plane tickets for a weekend trip to visit Santorini, Greece, where I joined some friends for breathtaking sunsets, fresh Souvlaki, and good cheer for many adventures to come in the future!