An opening word before the Olympic opening ceremony at the 2024 Paris Games
Hello from the Olympics!
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Though the opening ceremony for the 2024 Paris Olympics isn’t until Friday, the games are technically starting on Wednesday! Our own Michelle Martinelli is in Paris for the Games. She’s agreed to bless us with daily updates when she can about her Olympic experience.
Today, she spoke with Team USA’s water polo goalkeeper, Ashleigh Johnson, about the vibe in Paris.
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PARIS — Bonjour, les gagnants! Even though the first Olympic competitions aren’t until Thursday, Paris is buzzing, and Olympians can feel it — especially for those whose last Games were in Tokyo with heavy COVID protocols.
Team USA women’s water polo goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson said in the Olympic Village, she’s noticed “that people want to connect again.” Back for her third Olympics, Johnson said there’s a sense of community among athletes with shared dreams, even if they’re competing against each other.
“Getting that connection and that energy back has been really enriching and inspiring,” Johnson told me.
But even two-time Olympic gold medalists can get star-struck in the Olympic Village.
“Coco Gauff was the person who made me turn because obviously she’s a young black woman achieving really great things in her sport,” Johnson said.
“Social media has broken a lot of the barriers between fans and the people who play the sport, and I feel connected to her in a way because I’m watching her and seeing how she interacts with media and just achieving so much at her age in her sport. Such a high-pressure sport. It’s just been really incredible to watch.”
-Michell Martinelli 
The Games haven’t started and we’ve already got a scandal
Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
Ah, Olympic scandals. How we’ve missed you.
The Canadian Olympic Committee admitted in a statement that French authorities detained a “non-accredited member” of the Canada Soccer support for flying a drone over New Zealand’s women’s soccer team’s training session.
The COC said it was “shocked and disappointed” by the incident. New Zealand reported it to the International Olympic Committee after it happened and an investigation was launched into the drone, eventually connecting it to the Canadian staffer.
Following the investigation, another drone incident from July 19 had also come to light, according to The Athletic. The COC sent both staffers home for their spycraft.
This is a pretty huge incident that could potentially have big repercussions. Remember, the Canadian women’s soccer team won gold in 2021. The team could face some steep consequences here from the International Olympic Committee.
Congrats to Coco Gauff
Just like Ashleigh Johnson, I’m pretty excited to watch Coco Gauff in these Olympic Games, too. This is technically her first go-round after missing the 2021 Tokyo Games because of COVID-19.
It just got even more special for her because she’s been named one of the two flag-bearers for Team USA alongside LeBron James.
Watch the moment:
Coco Gauff finds out she'll be a flag bearer next to LeBron
(via @TeamUSA) pic.twitter.com/EtOsZBBzuD
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 24, 2024
This is so sweet.
Quick hits: Caitlin Clark’s 15 best moments … Bryce Young goes back to school
— Cory Woodroof has the 15 best moments so far from Caitlin Clark’s rookie season.
— Here’s Robert Zeglinski on Bryce Young wearing an oversized backpack back to scho– I mean, training camp.
— Charles Curtis has more on what might be the latest in the beef between Ryan Day and Jim Harbaugh.
— Prince Grimes has every athlete looking to defend their gold medal at the Olympics this year.
— Speaking of Caitlin Clark, Rebecca Lobo thinks she’s the best passer in the WNBA. Here’s Charles with more.
— Caroline Darney has the six most mind-blowing cameos from Deadpool & Wolverine. Spoiler alert!
That’s a wrap, folks! Thanks so much for reading. We appreciate you giving us a bit of your time! Peace
-Sykes 