A year after the memorable Paris 2024 Olympic Games, celebrated beach volleyball players Ana Patricia Silva Ramos and Eduarda Santos Lisboa (Duda), joined by French Olympian Arnaud Gauthier-Rat and his new partner Téo Rotar, revisited the famous Eiffel Tower Stadium location on the Champs-de-Mars.
The Paris 2024 beach volleyball venue, famously called “The Greatest Stadium on Earth” by The Wall Street Journal, drew close to 450,000 spectators during the Games, establishing itself as one of the most celebrated sites of that summer. The iconic Eiffel Tower serving as its backdrop cemented its status as a defining visual for Paris 2024.
From their vantage point atop the Eiffel Tower, the athletes looked down upon the former stadium grounds, recalling the vibrant energy of the previous summer`s Games. For Ana Patricia and Duda, this spot held particularly special meaning: it was where they achieved Olympic gold.
Ana Patricia shared her feelings: “Being here, gazing down at the very place we secured our Olympic gold medal, evokes a powerful rush of emotions. The Eiffel Tower Stadium possessed a truly magical quality – the fervent crowd, the palpable energy, every aspect of it. It`s truly amazing to return and re-experience that sensation. Paris, and particularly the Eiffel Tower, will forever hold a cherished spot in our hearts.”
For French athlete Arnaud Gauthier-Rat, competing on home turf before an enthusiastic French audience stands out as a significant highlight of his career.
Gauthier-Rat further expressed: “Returning to this venue, where I competed amidst a sea of French flags and roaring cheers, still sends shivers down my spine. It ranks among the proudest accomplishments of my career to date. I feel privileged to be back here, reliving the memories of last summer while connecting with beach volleyball enthusiasts 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 greeted by Patrick Branco-Ruivo, the Managing Director of the Eiffel Tower. Mr. Branco-Ruivo provided a personalized and exclusive tour of the landmark, sharing fascinating details about its history and importance.
A memorable moment occurred when the FIVB delegation gifted Mr. Branco-Ruivo a limited-edition print of the Eiffel Tower Stadium, a painting by the acclaimed artist Peter Spens.
The event also garnered considerable attention from the media, with international news organizations convening at the top of the tower to interview the athletes and officials.
Jasper Thornfield 
Finley Blackwood