The dramatic domed backdrop proved to be perfect for the drama-filled archery competitions that saw a few hearts break, emotional wins and probably the most energetic audience the sport has ever seen. 

"The venue is just absolutely incredible. It’s kind of the most incredible venue there’s ever been for archery," US Virgin Islands’ Nicholas D’Amour said after one of the practice rounds. 

The French archers must’ve been inspired, ending their medal drought with not one but two podium finishes. The men’s team of Jean-Charles Valladont, Thomas Chirault and Baptiste Addis took the silver medals after going toe-to-toe with the top seeds and defending champions South Korea. 

The host country proudly earned its first women’s individual medal too, with Lisa Barbelin ecstatically winning a bronze medal in front of a cheering home crowd. Barbelin beat Jeon Hunyoung, preventing her from ascending the podium with compatriots Lim Si-hyeon and Nam Su-hyeon for a South Korean sweep.

"Now it’s real. I don’t know when I’ll realise it, but in any case, [the medal] is heavy now. I can feel it, and that’s the beauty of it,” she said after her emotional triumph. “I’m very proud to have won this medal for France. But I think I’m only the first one – there will be many others in the future."

But the South Koreans proved to be a dominating force and swept none-the-less: taking the top spots in all five events —a historic first— including mixed team which returns to the Olympics for the second time around. Lim and teammate Kim Woojin each took home a triple gold and some historic accolades.

"It's my first Olympics and I wanted to give it my everything," said Lim.

The 21-year-old did just that. Lim gave it all her and broke the archery world record with 694 shots at the women's individual ranking round, beating the previous record of 692 shots. Meanwhile, Kim became the most successful Olympic archer of all time after winning his fifth gold medal in a high-drama shootoff with the USA’s Brady Ellison which ended with him winning by mere millimetres.

"I think you can now call me the greatest of all time," said Kim after what could be the greatest final ever. "I’ve been through countless numbers of matches, and this was the most nerve-wracking competition of all."

South Korea also took home a silver in women’s individual and a bronze in the men’s for a total of seven. 

In one of the biggest surprises in archery at the Paris Olympics, defending champion Mete Gazoz failed to medal in his title event. While he managed to advance to the quarterfinals, eliminating French competitor Thomas Chirault with a perfect 10, he met his match with South Korea’s eventual champion Kim.

Gazoz still made history, however. Together with teammates Berkim Tumer and Abdullah Yildirmis, they clinched the men’s team bronze for Türkiye’s first Olympic team medal in any sport – ever.

The Paris arena has certainly seen some of the greatest moments in archery. Fans turned out from all corners of the world and made their presence known, with archers saying how exciting it was to compete amid the outpouring of support. Is this the beginning of archery becoming a mass spectator sport? Only time will tell.