Captains from the women's and men's teams in Rugby Sevens, at Olympic Village Plaza GETTY IMAGES

US rugby player Ilona Maher has posted a video on social media joking that her teammate Naya Tapper might have a date in the space reserved for 2024 athletes. This is another attraction for athletes at the Games.

The first thing on an athlete's mind is to try to make it to the Olympics. If they succeed, they already know the motto: the important thing is to participate. But a top athlete in their speciality thinks about medals. Participating in the ceremony where a metal is hung around your neck. Let alone listening to the anthem after winning the gold medal.

But then there is life in the Olympic Village. The opportunity to meet people from other sports, great champions or other references that you love to meet during the days you spend in Paris.

Personal relationships are also a topic of conversation in the Olympic Village. One example is from Ilona Maher, when she commented on the ‘success’ of her teammate Naya Tapper having been able to strike up a conversation with another athlete.



In 2024 it is back to normal. The Tokyo 2020 Games could not be normal. The covid-19 pandemic delayed the competition by one year. And in 2021 there were still restrictions. Athletes were more cautious. Obviously, a positive result was lethal to their aspirations.

Covid-19 has not disappeared, but it is no longer a major problem. More than 10,000 athletes pass through Paris these weeks, and more than 4,000 during the Paralympic Games.



Almost everyone staying in the Olympic Village arrives with their mobile phone. This is the tool with which they can make contacts during their stay. If you don't have someone's phone number, you can always look them up on their social networks. Or use a dating app.

Dating apps don't seem to be a popular method for young people. Many of the athletes participating in Paris 2024 belong to Generation Z. They are very tech-savvy, but not so much about dating apps. That's more in line with the older generation. That is, the older athletes at the Games.

Paris 2024 is a time to watch a lot of matches of many sports. The Olympic Village can also be a great place to make a match.