Despite the civilised setting, fenced-off Paris made it virtually impossible for fans to visit the tourist hotspots
All bar one of the Paris venues were either existing, adapted, or in the case of the triathlon and open-water swimming, a natural feature, the Seine. Only the Aquatic Centre hosting water polo and diving was new.
The advantage of the hub environment is proximity. It was possible to walk from the Aquatic Centre to the Copper Box, to the Velodrome, to the Olympic Stadium, and to sundry temporary venues on the Olympic Park site. The walk from the Grand Palais, an arresting exhibition hall opened in 1900 and host to the taekwondo, to the Louvre and the Jardin de Tuileries along the Rue de Rivoli, home of the Olympic cauldron, taking in the Place de la Concorde, the most famous execution site in the world and the setting for the skate park, is arguably the most elegant promenade on the planet.
Though the route was lined with viewing stations that were accessible for free, the distinguished guests at the Trocadero were essentially attending a cinema premier, accessing the whole show via big screens, an experience that changed in character when the rain began to fall.
Indeed the downside of the geography of these Olympics is captured by what the authorities term “perturbation”, which translates as disturbance.
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The most controversial logos ever, from Gap and ebay to London 2012Antonia Wilson is a freelance writer and editor. Previous roles have included travel reporter for the Guardian, and staff writer for Creative Review magazine, alongside writing for The Observer, National Geographic Traveller, Essentialist and Eco-Age, among others.
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