American Fans Make Athletes Feel at Home at Paris Olympics

PARIS — One of the major successes for the Olympic Summer Games so far has been the atmosphere. From the French men’s rugby sevens’ epic run to a gold medal and other French athletes following with medals of their own, the home country’s fans have packed the stands.

But another noticeable noise at every event includes Team USA fans. Paris 2024 said out of the initial 3 million tickets bought internationally, 18% were from the U.S., tied for the most international sales with the United Kingdom. That would mean at least 540,000 tickets are in the hands of Americans before you get into the resale market or other means of entry into events.

The swimming venue on opening night was overrun by U.S. fans celebrating the men’s 400-meter free relay team’s gold medal. The Grand Palais became a celebration of USA Fencing on Sunday night and when USA Field Hockey played to a 1-1 tie with Spain on Monday afternoon, you could argue U.S. fans outnumbered the Spanish contingent.

“It’s been amazing the whole few days we’ve been here so far,” USA Field Hockey Chief Executive Officer Simon Hoskins said. “We see so much support from the American crowd. Some of them are field hockey fans already and some of them are becoming field hockey fans through cheering on our team.”

That has also been visible at both the indoor and beach volleyball venues. The U.S. women’s indoor team, in a five-game loss to China on Monday, was nonetheless screamed on by a crowd nearly double the Chinese.

“The amount of support we have at beach, the amount of support we have at indoor, is unbelievable,” USA Volleyball Chief Executive Officer Jamie Davis said. “I’m so happy to see so many fans either from the United States or cheering for the United States out here. It gives so much energy to the athletes and it’s wonderful to see.”

The screams of American fans have also been more than noticeable at the beach volleyball venue on the foot of the Eiffel Tower. And then there was Bercy Arena on Tuesday night for the women’s gymnastics team competition, which was in Paris but sounded like you were still in Minneapolis for the U.S. Olympic Trials, the crowd was so pro-American.

Biles-Powered Boost for USA Gymnastics

USA Gymnastics is one of the powerhouse summer NGBs both from a performance and commercial perspective. The return of Simone Biles has only made the sport more attractive from a television and sponsorship standpoint. And it has helped having the men’s team win a bronze medal on Monday night before the Biles-led women’s team crushed competition on Tuesday for a gold medal, its third in the past four Games.

“We’re honored to represent the U.S. every time we get on a world stage but accomplishing that gold and that goal was just an amazing feeling,” Biles said after Tuesday’s performance. “It means the world. This was our goal going in, even though we didn’t share it with everybody because it’s just a personal thing that we were working on. But I think for everybody it’s what we came here to do. And we’re super excited to walk away with that gold medal.”

The men’s team bronze medal was also inspiring, being its first since the 2008 Games after finishing fifth in qualifying.

“This has been nothing short of a group effort,” said Paul Juda after the men’s team competition on Monday. “Today we demonstrated that we keep together as a squad and we’re proud to be Americans and representing the U.S.”

USA Gymnastics Vice President of Partnerships and Marketing Kelly Feilke pointed out on LinkedIn last week about the variance in resources that NGBs have in developing athletes for the Olympics. The entire post, with an insightful graphic, is here with a crucial four-year cycle ahead of LA28 upcoming for the U.S. Olympic movement. Suffice to say after this week is completed with individual competitions still to come that USA Gymnastics, which before Paris experienced enormous success in Minneapolis at the Olympic Trials, will be able to capitalize on these Games.

Family, Friends and New Horizons Ahead

Between the giant attention around the beach volleyball venue, Davis has been able to savor the second Games as leader of USA Volleyball by having his family with him in Paris.

“In this job, this is the pinnacle that we aim for every four years,” he said. “To be able to have my family around me is really special.”

Also special for CEOs of the U.S. Olympic movement is the chance to see each other’s sports instead of the normal means of interaction, which is a monthly Zoom call and a few in-person gatherings at industry events. Hoskins checked out judo and badminton the day before field hockey played Spain; Davis was at fencing on Sunday night before running to beach volleyball.

“Being able to come and support each other in our arenas when we’re out here competing, I learn about their sports and support them in their sports and I know they’re supporting me,” said Davis. “It’s just a wonderful thing.”

Davis is leaving USA Volleyball shortly after an eight-year run as chief executive officer. He announced that decision in March and earlier this month was named the incoming CEO of USA Water Polo, succeeding Christopher Ramsey, who is leaving USAWP after leading the organization for 17 years.

“When I had seen that Chris was retiring, I reached out to Chris and asked him a little bit about it,” Davis said. “I’m not an expert in water polo but I wasn’t an expert in volleyball when I got to volleyball either. I do know the Olympic movement, I know how they deal with fans, how they deal with youth. And I got really excited.

“I watched a bunch of water polo, got really excited about the challenge and fortunate enough to be able to take on the role. And I’m really looking forward to the new challenge and working with the athletes, the coaches, the board and the water polo community to help try and grow the sport. We’ve had great success in volleyball and I’m hopeful to be able to take some of the lessons I’ve learned with volleyball and parlay them over to water polo.”

Field Hockey Enjoys Tie to History

For USA women’s field hockey, the chance to make its first Games since 2016 marks its seventh Olympic appearance overall.

“It’s been a journey for them and they’ve earned it,” Hoskins said. “For the national governing body, it allows us to be on NBC right now. Certainly, millions more people are watching our sport … and that’ll help build the sport and the national governing body.”

While maybe not a unique venue akin to fencing or volleyball in Paris, field hockey nonetheless is on historic ground. Yves-du-Manoir Stadium was host to the Opening Ceremony and athletics in the 1924 Games, the last time Paris hosted. The track at the stadium is where the race immortalized in “Chariots of Fire” was held.

“It’s amazing,” Hoskins said. “We’ve had lots of stories within the group, within the team, the parents of the team and all the different sponsors and donors are very aware that 100 years ago the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics here. The history is amazing being in this place.”

The complex now has two stadiums plus practice fields for soccer and rugby with a new athletics track to be completed in the future. One of the new buildings will be home to the French Hockey Federation and two synthetic fields will be set aside for the Federation’s national training center.

Next up for both USA Field Hockey programs will be the Los Angeles Games. The only time either team has medaled in the Olympic Summer Games was in Los Angeles — the men in 1932 and the women in 1984.

“I’ve been a field hockey guy my entire life,” Hoskins said. “My first ever job was at the ’96 Olympics, so I love the Olympic movement and everything that it stands for. To be involved with the team, the coaching staff, the players’ journey is a real thrill and an honor and a privilege.”