Paris 2024: The Olympics Through LFC Eyes

This summer, a number of our families and community members had the opportunity to attend several of the Olympic and Paralympic Games held in Paris – with a few deciding to “live” the Olympics by volunteering at the event or getting involved here in Chicago. In the end, exciting sporting adventures and encounters took the podium!

First-grade teacher and avid sports fan, Ludovic Ladeuix, volunteered for nearly three weeks at the Champions Park in Trocadéro Gardens, where he was responsible for welcoming and directing the 2024 medalists. Each day, he accompanied Olympians and their families as they greeted the public and celebrated their victories – sometimes among crowds of nearly 13,000. One evening, within the span of 15 minutes, he welcomed Teddy Riner, the French judo star and four-time Olympic gold medalist, followed by Serbian tennis player, Novak Djokovic, who had just won his first Olympic gold medal in the singles competition against Spanish prodigy, Carlos Alcaraz. 

These incredible memories at the Paris Olympics will last Ladeuix a lifetime. “There was a sense of optimism in the air,” he said following his return to school. “Everyone, both the French and foreign visitors, were excited to be in Paris and meet the greatest athletes of this time.” Ladeuix also described the joy of accompanying athletes of all nationalities – some well known and acclimated to large crowds, and other young talents who were new to the spotlight.

Meanwhile, Jean L.-S., an 11th-grade Bac student who has been at the LFC since preschool, also experienced the Paris Olympics “from the inside” as a special radio correspondent! Thanks to his 10th-grade internship at the local radio station, WGN, he was able to work alongside journalists covering the Games. He appeared five times on the Lisa Dent Show, each time speaking live for 5-10 minutes. These segments covered a wide range of topics related to the Olympics, including the opening ceremony, athletes’ performances (particularly French and Americans), the atmosphere in Paris, and which sporting events he was able to attend (golf, handball, water polo, volleyball, soccer, etc.).

His role as a young reporter during the Games also allowed him to enter all areas reserved for fans, including Club France at La Villette, which welcomed a total of almost 40,000 people each day. Teddy Riner even signed an autograph for him! Jean’s radio talents didn’t go unnoticed, as Lisa Dent hosted a special show for the French fans!

Across the Atlantic, 60 children enrolled in the German, French and Mandarin immersion camps at the LFC took part in the Paris Olympics from afar. Participating in a two hour breakdancing workshop from professional dancers, they received an incredible demonstration and hands-on lesson about the history of this sport and its Olympic debut. The following week, campers divided into several groups and competed in their own breakdancing competition. Our B-boys and B-girls gave it their all, and received prizes and awards related to the 2024 Paris Olympics. These awards were donated by the French Consulate and presented by Deputy Consul General, Clément Calais, as both parts of this event were organized in partnership with the Consulate General of France in Chicago.

No matter the nature of their participation, all members of our community returned home delighted with their experiences. We can only hope the sense of national pride and harmony will continue for years to come!

Whatever the nature of their participation, all members of our community returned home delighted with their experience. If the opening ceremony was the talk of the town and amazed the world, we can only hope that the sense of national pride and harmony that surrounded the event will continue.