A Snapshot of Olympic Houses: Ambition Actualized
FRANCE
Tickets to watch the Olympic competitions was the obvious way to go, especially given some of the creative and enjoyable venue options for Paris 2024. House hopping though, was another fun way to participate via the fan zone feel. While some try to visit them all, I wanted to dabble in at least a few. For it is here that folks meet, eat, often learn about the country and its stars and assets. Instead of designated outside spaces for only watching sports, over 35 ‘houses’ were set up here either by countries or companies to create an ambiance of their own. From official sponsors such as Samsung, Visa and Omega - the official time keeper of the 329 Olympic events across 32 sports - to the Pride House (which also hosted a digital house), these bolstered the patriotic renderings of various countries. These Olympic Houses varied on where they stood on the spectrum and smattering of their offerings. Some focused on food, culture and music, others were a place to buy gear, watch the games or trade pins - this unofficial sport is a continuation of the tradition that officially began at the Calgary Olympic Winter Games in 1988.
I enjoyed perusing the Manifesto of the athlete's experience which informed the design of the Athlete's village. After all, catering to 14,250 athletes for the Olympics and another 8,000 more for the Paralympics couldn’t be an easy feat. In their ambition to lift France from its gloom, “Paris became a city of cheers and murmurs” and as Tony Estanguet, the head of the Paris Olympics Committee said “[t]hese games are still more beautiful in reality than in my craziest dreams. It was worth clinging to this ambitious vision, and it feels good to see the surge of fraternity”. As visitors, we definitely saw and felt the surge - and let me tell you, it was so supreme!
What drives aligned ambition I wondered? In the world of the secular, where focus seems to singe sharing to instead strive for individual success, it was noteworthy that Paris 2024 aimed for a wider legacy plan. I thought of how this aspiration likely called upon a mix of expertise, cultural environments and a readiness of those in the appropriate echelons to (positively) disrupt.
The fraternity feel varied across the houses. Nestled in the Marriott, the New Zealand House hosted a little reprieve to sit, sip and sample. Patio furniture faced the big screen and charcuterie boards seemed to be a popular choice.
The Danish house was more of a walk-through whirl. Little photos and paragraphs reinforced the natural beauties and the outdoor lifestyle preferences of the Danes. Arriving near the closing hours, I missed out on the free ice cream and Lego but the swag bag from Taiwan was murmured to have been the bigger miss.
Like the other two, entry into ‘Station Africa’ was free. But it was a trek! Housing multiple countries on one site, I was excited to see cumulative culture coming alive. Unfortunately, we went soon after they opened and aside from a handful of craft tents, some slim pickings of food trucks, a few sizeable statues (an elephant that sprayed water and a mosquito that reminded us of the death toll caused each minute by malaria), there wasn’t the bubbling energy or music I was looking forward to.
While the live music scene at night was probably where the action was, I was reminded of my time on the continent, seeing the (contagious) African dance moves that are often on display.
On the way back to the arrondissements of Paris, we took a choo choo train. On the way to the site, we’d walked the long haul from the station to the site. So when we saw our ‘they should do this’ wish manifesting on our return, it was another nod and kudos for the epic Olympic action and organization.
Some houses charged entry fees. Most charged a nominal five euros, others such as Canada House sat at the 30 euro mark. Mexico boasted a Mariachi band, Ireland House next to Pigalle doubled as a pub and Brazil offered beach volleyball. The UK and USA though were the most lavish, coming in between 380 to 525 euros though boasted ‘food and drinks all day’, some add-ons such as DJ sets and other perks. Near the latter, I encountered one of their rugby players being filmed for social media – theirs was catering to a ‘more high end experience’ the greeters said.
What is the interplay between ambition and affluence - be it of money, skill or time? The nuances between the generalities of how ambitious one ought to be can be dizzying. Like many things, it seems that striving a healthy balance of ambition in the elements of achievement, performance and growth may be the way to go.
Supported by Reliance Foundation, of the houses I visited, India House absolutely took the cake! Combining tasteful displays of art, culture, legacy of sportsmanship, AI tours of the country and culinary options, the set up was impressive. That was before I heard the DJ. Food and drink stalls encircled the large pavilion at the back. There were seats for onlookers or those that were indulging in the tasty treats. Stage front, there was space for us to jam.
My phone ran out of juice but my mind captured the guys who had the moves. Dancing together under the Parisian sky, India house welcomed whoever wanted to join in on the fun, untethered and grateful to be a part of this all.
I find it interesting when folks feel like they’ve missed out, can only attend this or wonder if they’ll ever come back again. For me, this world seems like an oyster, a labyrinth of ambition, a canvas of possibilities and a place where I can’t wait to return – especially if it’s Paris!
May we find the houses in our lives overflow in nourishment that makes our bellies content, our bodies move and our beings ascend,
I wondered about the houses. Thanks for snapshot and insights, love the mosquito.
This looks impressive! I wish I had visited the houses when I visited Paris. India House sounds so welcoming and fun! It looks like this village of houses was a real treat.