Two little boys practice carrying a barbell under the watchful eye of a trainer. One of them has a big smile when he sees him adding 2.5 kg weights on each side, proud to attempt a small feat. A few meters away, a teenage girl enjoys herself in a small swimming pool. Further on, a shirtless man in shorts tries his hand at paddleboarding on the Saint-Denis canal.
This Sunday, many curious people came to play sports and celebrate Olympic Day near the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. River shuttles were offered to the public from Paris and several towns in the department to access this free event.
Olympic Day, celebrated every year on June 23, played extra time this Sunday on the occasion of an extraordinary party organized by the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee in partnership with the departmental council, the Plaine commune territory and the Cnosf (French National Olympic and Sports Committee). Different types of sports were offered to the public at the foot of the stadium, which will be one of the flagship sites of the future Paris Olympics in two years. Rowing, canoeing, badminton, BMX, athletics, skateboarding, archery… Many top athletes were also present to introduce their discipline, giving Saint-Denis a taste of the festive atmosphere and sport expected in 2024.
“We came from Drancy to see this! smile Rabah, Maktar, Ryad and Wally, four 12-year-old friends who traveled with their local football club. At the end of the morning, these teenagers had already been able to test rugby. “It’s nice, we had already done some, so we knew a little bit. Now we are going to go to the swimming pool, and then especially the canoe-kayak”, launch the boys, some of whom have never been on such a boat before. “That’s all we’re offered, it’s a change from football! “, Say these college students who hope to be able to attend an Olympic Games event in 2024.
