At the ancient Olympic Games in Greece, winners would receive a crown made of leaves, a red ribbon, the option to create a statue of themselves and the joy of returning home a hero.
The gold, silver and bronze medals at the modern Olympics are more familiar. But after the 2024 Olympians stand on the podium and receive their new hardware, how do they celebrate?
In Paris, the answer is Champions Park.
The park was inspired by the French athletes’ return from the Tokyo Olympics and made especially for the Paris Games, according to Olympics.com. Located in the Trocadero Gardens across from beach volleyball’s stunning Eiffel Tower Stadium, it offers visitors a chance to celebrate the previous day’s medal winners for free.
“This is really the DNA of Paris 2024: with it, we open the Games wide thanks to a concept that marries three key ingredients: athletes, fans from all over the world and venues in the heart of the city,” Olympics.com said.
On the park’s purple runway athletes strut, wave, and pose for photos in front of the “The Iron Lady” while showing off their shiny new medals. There are performances, a DJ to warm up the crowd and broadcasts of the day’s competition.
As it closes on August 10, let’s look back at some of the wildest and best celebrations in Champions Park.
France’s Rugby Team does a victory dance
Is that a boy band dancing at the Eiffel Tower? No, it’s France’s men’s rugby team.
After defeating defending gold medalists Fiji with a 28-7 score, the host country celebrated by ringing the Paris 2024 bell and performing an on-field dance to Will Smith’s “Miami.”
The next day in Champions Park, the team gave an encore performance clad in matching outfits and gold medals. The crowd went wild for it, waving their French flags and yelling.
As many noted in social media comments after, the men weren’t perfectly in sync but the vibes, everyone agreed, were magnifique.
France’s Leon Marchand celebrates historic wins
Slow claps and shirtless swimmers defined the next celebration at Champions Park.
Taking a page out of the long jumpers book, Marchand led a stage full of swimmers and the crowd in a slow clap to roaring applause. It was a well-deserved moment after winning four gold medals and becoming one of France’s most decorated swimmers.
As for the lack of shirts paired with white shorts and medals? Presumably, it was a hot day in Paris. Fans didn’t mind. Instead, they took a moment on Instagram to praise the park.
“France has really involved the crowds and not just those that could afford a ticket at an event! The vibe has been tremendous! Best Olympics! LA you better get ready!!! 🇫🇷😍” @stephanieinzalaco wrote.
“I hope Champions stage will be an olympic traditions by future olympic hosts onwards,” @ben.underground wrote.
Figure skaters receive medals in Paris
In a more emotional moment, Team USA’s Olympic figure skating team received their long-awaited gold medals during a relocation ceremony in Champions Park.
Nearly two years after their medal ceremony was canceled at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics due to a Russian athlete testing positive for a banned substance, the American and Japanese figure skating teams were honored in Paris. The two teams originally placed second and third, but were upgraded to gold and silver medals after Russia was disqualified.
As the Star-Spangled Banner played, you could see the athletes’ pride-filled smiles as they began to sing along. The team capped off the special moment by taking photos on the iconic French stage. As both teams’ pair skaters lifted their partners high above their heads, they gave the Paris Games a taste of winter.
Olympic talent show
Champions Park became a place for Olympians to show off the fun talents that they’ve honed alongside their athletic skills.
Brazilian skateboarder Augusto Akio, a bronze medalist, juggled on the sidelines during competition and then brought his circus skillset to the post-shredding festivities.
Team USA’s artistic swim team, who ended a 10-year medal drought in the sport, performed part of their routine on dry land. This included their dramatic synchronized walk normally followed by a dive into the pool and lifting the team’s flyer Audrey Kwon.
“Champions Park! 🥇🥈🥉 UNREAL experience. So much fun celebrating all together as a team… with our family, friends and 13,000 strangers,” team member Anita Alvarez wrote on Instagram.
The Olympic wrestlers couldn’t help but show off their strength at the park. Team USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt, who won gold in women’s freestyle 50kg, carried Japan’s Nao Kusaka across the stage as a stunned fellow Olympian looked on. Kusaka won gold in men’s 77kg wrestling.
