'Paris Olympics were magnificent - but our visit was disappointing'
Reader says her family were surprised to see that the Olympic flame was not real - and that there were no more Phryge toys available
The real Olympic flame was not actually under the balloon but kept safe in a small glass box
UPI / Alamy Stock Photo
To the Editor,
My sister and family recently returned from the Olympics in Paris. They were amazed - and disappointed - to find that the Olympic flame was not flame at all, but water and light. Not only that, the ‘flame’ that is supposed to be alight for the duration was not alight at all on at least two days when they passed the ‘gondola’.
How did the organisers get away with not keeping the ‘flame’ lit throughout?
Read more: Global praise as Paris Olympics close with ‘Golden Voyager’ character
Also, they were surprised and disappointed that the Phryge mascot of Paris 2024 (which they had been asked to bring home as presents for various family members) was not being marketed widely or made available at venues – only sold at one specific shop they stumbled upon by chance! Is Paris ashamed of it?
Virginia Rendle, by email
Editor’s note:
You are right to point out that the “ring of fire” was not actually burning – it was an illusion made up of clouds of mist lit by LED rays, built by French energy firm EDF.
Each night at sunset during the period of the Games, it was drawn up into the sky over the Jardin des Tuileries for two hours by a 30-metre helium balloon, coated in light-reflecting satin paint.
However, there was still an authentic Olympic flame burning in Paris. This was tucked away in a small glass box, displayed next to the cauldron. It contained a tiny flame in a lantern, with a sign reading: “Lit in Olympia, from the sun’s rays.”
Regarding the Phryges, it seems they are a victim of their own success.
"Several thousand" cuddly toys were sold every day at the Champs-Elysées megastore, the largest official shop, during the Olympics period, reported FranceInfo in August.
Many outlets were temporarily out of stock. Manufacturers Doudou et Compagnie and Gipsy Toys estimated that between two and 2.3 million would be sold in total, including abroad.
Did you go to Paris during the Olympics? What was your experience? Let us know via letters@connexionfrance.com
