A year after the memorable Paris 2024 Olympic Games, beach volleyball champions Ana Patricia Silva Ramos and Eduarda Santos Lisboa (Duda), alongside French Olympian Arnaud Gauthier-Rat and his new partner Téo Rotar, revisited the famous Eiffel Tower Stadium site on the Champs-de-Mars.
The Paris 2024 beach volleyball arena, once hailed by The Wall Street Journal as “The Greatest Stadium on Earth,” welcomed nearly 450,000 spectators during the Games. Its stunning location against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower cemented its status as an iconic symbol of Paris 2024.
From the summit of the Eiffel Tower, the athletes looked down upon the former stadium grounds, recalling the vibrant energy of last summer`s Games. For Ana Patricia and Duda, this site held a special golden memory: where they clinched their Olympic championship title.
Ana Patricia shared her feelings: “Being here, looking down at the very spot where we won Olympic gold, evokes a flood of emotions. The Eiffel Tower Stadium was truly magical – the passionate crowd, the incredible energy, everything. It`s an amazing experience to return and relive those feelings. Paris, and particularly the Eiffel Tower, will forever hold a special place in our hearts.”
For Arnaud Gauthier-Rat, competing on his home turf before enthusiastic French supporters remains a standout moment in his career.
Gauthier-Rat stated: “Returning to this venue, where I played amidst a sea of French flags and thunderous cheers, still gives me goosebumps. It stands as one of the proudest achievements of my career. I am honored to be back, reliving last summer`s memories while celebrating beach volleyball with fans right here in Paris.”
During their visit, the athletes and the FIVB delegation, comprising Head of Beach Volleyball Yu Cao and Head of Development and Sustainability Paulo Barone, were greeted by Patrick Branco-Ruivo, the Managing Director of the Eiffel Tower. Mr. Branco-Ruivo personally led the group on an exclusive tour of the landmark, sharing fascinating details about its history and importance.
As a special gesture, the FIVB delegation presented Branco-Ruivo with a limited-edition print of the Eiffel Tower Stadium, a painting by celebrated artist Peter Spens.
The visit also garnered considerable media attention, with international news outlets gathering at the top of the tower to interview the athletes and officials.
