Prepared by Olabode Ilesanmi Paris 2024: A Stunning Fusion of Heritage, Progress, and Complex Legacy When Paris welcomed the 2024 Summer Olympics, it offered far more than elite competition. Against a backdrop of storied architecture and scenic riverbanks, the city wove a tale of sustainability, innovation, and cultural ambition—while also revealing difficult questions about inclusion and equity. A Ceremony Unlike Any Other For the first time in Olympic history, the opening ceremony was held not in a stadium but along the River Seine. Athletes from more than 200 countries drifted by boat past iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, while heavy rain added an unexpected dramatic flair. It was a bold statement, blending spectacle with a message of environmental renewal and public access. Gender Equality Takes Center Stage Paris made history by achieving perfect gender parity among its athletes—a first in modern Olympic Games. Alongside a balanced representatio...