The air is buzzing in Paris as athletes and support staff flock to airports in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Among them, Maria Luisa Doig Calderon, a fencer from Peru, is eager to compete in her third Olympics, where she will proudly carry her country’s flag.
“It’s definitely a dream come true. We train so hard for this. I’ve been doing this sport for 28 years, so yes, this will be my third Olympics and I can’t wait to get started,” she enthuses.
Meanwhile, Kirsty Gilmour, a veteran athlete from the UK, has a few strategies in place to help her relax as she awaits her first badminton match in the Olympic Village.
“I brought my pillow from home. I brought a little candle from home.” Just to try to make it a little bit warmer and less strict than the Olympic Village, to try to make it a little bit more comfortable,” she shares.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are set to kick off this Friday, marking the first time the Olympic Opening Ceremony will be held outside of a stadium. A historic event that promises to shine a spotlight on sporting excellence while celebrating diversity and unity across the world. The Olympic flame burns brightly, ready to light the athletes’ path to glory.