A year following the memorable Paris 2024 Olympic Games, acclaimed beach volleyball players Ana Patricia Silva Ramos and Eduarda Santos Lisboa (Duda), joined by French Olympian Arnaud Gauthier-Rat and his current partner Téo Rotar, revisited the renowned Eiffel Tower Stadium location on the Champs-de-Mars.
Hailed by The Wall Street Journal as `The Greatest Stadium on Earth,` the Paris 2024 beach volleyball venue welcomed close to 450,000 spectators throughout the Games, emerging as a major talking point of the summer events. The majestic Eiffel Tower serving as its backdrop solidified its status as an iconic symbol of Paris 2024.
From their vantage point atop the Eiffel Tower, gazing down at the former stadium grounds, the athletes recalled the vibrant energy of the previous summer`s Games. For Ana Patricia and Duda, this location held a particularly cherished memory: it was where they achieved Olympic gold.
Being here, observing the very spot where we secured our Olympic gold, evokes a rush of emotions. The Eiffel Tower Stadium possessed an undeniable magic – the spectators, the dynamism, everything was perfect. It`s truly remarkable to return and experience that sensation once more. Paris, and particularly the Eiffel Tower, will forever hold a cherished spot in our hearts.
For Arnaud Gauthier-Rat, the opportunity to compete in his home country before enthusiastic French supporters stands out as a pinnacle of his professional career.
Returning to this venue, where I performed amidst a sea of French flags and roaring cheers, still sends shivers down my spine. It remains one of the proudest achievements of my career to date. I feel privileged to be back, reminiscing about last summer`s events while celebrating beach volleyball with the fans in Paris.
During their visit, the athletes and representatives from the FIVB, including Yu Cao (Head of Beach Volleyball) and Paulo Barone (Head of Development and Sustainability), were received by Patrick Branco-Ruivo, Managing Director of the Eiffel Tower. Mr. Branco-Ruivo personally conducted an exclusive tour of the landmark for the group, sharing unique perspectives on its heritage and importance. A notable part of the visit included the FIVB delegation presenting Mr. Branco-Ruivo with a limited-edition print of a painting depicting the Eiffel Tower Stadium, created by the esteemed artist Peter Spens. The event also garnered substantial media attention, with various international news organizations convening to interview the athletes and officials atop the tower.
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood