Paris Olympics Launches Champions Park for Celebrating Athletes

PARIS (AP) — In a historic first for the Summer Games, the Paris Olympics has introduced Champions Park, a vibrant venue for athletes to celebrate their victories alongside fans. Located at the Trocadero, the site of the opening ceremony, the park allows Olympic winners to share their experiences without the need for tickets or reservations. The initiative aims to foster a closer connection between athletes and the public, enhancing the celebratory atmosphere of the Games. The French men’s rugby team, fresh off their gold medal victory against Fiji, was the inaugural group to grace the park. The players engaged with the crowd, dancing and leading chants, while capturing memorable moments against the iconic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower. French rugby player Aaron Grandidier Nkanang expressed his excitement, noting the unique experience of celebrating in front of thousands of cheering fans. Emotions ran high as athletes like gold medalist Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, a mountain biker, were overwhelmed by the support, shedding tears of joy as fans chanted her name. The park is set to host daily ceremonies for medal winners from the previous days, creating a continuous celebration of athletic achievement throughout the Games. With a capacity of 13,000 fans each day, Champions Park is expected to attract around 130,000 visitors by the end of the Olympics. Organizers anticipate that over 1,000 athletes will participate in the celebrations, marking a significant enhancement to the Olympic experience in Paris.