Experience of Athletes at the Tokyo Olympics
Tara Davis-Woodhall, a long jumper known for her athletic prowess and entertaining spirit, found herself in Tokyo’s 68,000-seat Olympic stadium during the Summer Games. Yearning for some energy in the eerily quiet arena due to the pandemic, she bravely initiated clapping, hoping to ignite a spark of enthusiasm.
Despite the limited response from the audience, with only a handful of people clapping back, Davis-Woodhall reflected on the surreal experience of the Olympics three years ago. She described the empty stands as “awful” and expressed her relief that the unique circumstances are now behind her as she looks forward to participating in the upcoming Paris Olympics.
The Quest for Normalcy in Paris
Many athletes, like Davis-Woodhall, who have competed in previous Olympics but felt they missed out on the true essence of the Games, have arrived in Paris with a common goal: to experience a sense of normalcy. At the Olympics, normalcy equates to grandeur – a vibrant blend of sounds and colors brought to life by over 200 national teams and millions of enthusiastic fans.
Normalcy at the Olympics also includes athletes sharing emotional moments with their loved ones in the stands, whether in celebration or solace. It is about diverse crowds coming together to cheer for sports they may not typically follow, creating a unique and captivating atmosphere that defines the Olympic spirit.
| Spectators arriving for the first round of rugby sevens matches on Wednesday. | Rugby sevens games take about 20 minutes, leaving plenty of time for practices. |
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