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Bulletin
In addition, a stunning betrayal led to the arrest of the cartel leaders. Here’s the latest one late Friday.
By Matthieu Cullen
Nearly 7,000 athletes from 206 delegations descended the Seine in an extravagant, star-studded opening rite to kick off the Paris Olympics. As the rain fell, thousands of spectators cheered from the banks of the river. And Celine Dion closed the night with a triumphant return to the stage.
The rite was a boast for the city after years of planning. This continued as planned just hours after a coordinated fire paralyzed the French national rail system, rattling the nerves of a city under intense security. Here’s what we know.
Some competitions have already started, but the Games are in full swing with men’s basketball, tennis and women’s swimming (including the exciting 400-meter freestyle race).
“Gymnastics, swimming and athletics are at the heart of the Games,” Andrew Das, our Olympics editor, told me. “Good stories will make the Olympics more memorable. “
Athletes to watch include gymnast Simone Biles, who withdrew from the Tokyo Games, and swimmer Katie Ledecky, who will add to her seven gold medals. France is also hoping for a medal from Léon Marchand, a swimmer known as France’s Michael Phelps.
However, what makes the Games special are, in part, the lesser-followed games. Andrew watches beach volleyball, rugby sevens and break dancing, the new Olympic game more commonly known as break dancing. There is also an organization of anonymous American athletes who are worth following. .
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