AFTER eight sterile, antiseptic years, the Olympic Games returned to life today.
But even the appearance of French sport’s new marquee idol could not inspire the hosts to a winning start.
The first Olympic event in front of fans since the Rio 2016 closing ceremony saw a full house of 70,000 fans flooding into the Stade de France for the opening rounds of sevens group matches.
And after Argentina’s side were turned into the “bete noires” of Paris by home fans, the centre of attention was the stocky form of the world’s greatest rugby player.
Scrum-half Antoine Dupont was so desperate to be part of the 2024 Games that he missed this season’s Six Nations to prove he could adapt to sevens.
Dupont, 27, spoke of his need to “sacrifice” and to show “humility” to learn a new sport.
Yet wearing an unfamiliar No11 shirt, the Toulouse genius was unable to spark France to the expected victory at the start of their golden quest.
When Dupont’s name was read out pre-match by the tannoy announcer, it prompted a roar of sheer delight that almost raised the roof, red, white and blue flags being fluttered in every corner of the stadium.
Despite some trademark twists, turns and passes, including one brilliant sleight-of-hand reverse effort that should have led to a try, France stuttered to a 12-12 draw with the USA.
It left the fans who had been on their feet 15 minutes earlier grumbling into their boots, with Dupont actually OFF the field as the Americans spurned the chance to go for the win after the hooter and instead kicked the ball into touch – prompting boos from the Stade de France crowd and anger back from fans in the States.
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A frustrated Dupont admitted: “We wanted to do well so much but we made too many mistakes.
“We weren’t pragmatic enough to win and we are going to have to improve both our level of play and our efficiency in the try zone.”
He added: “It was incredible when we came out and saw this full stadium ready to support us.
“Of course I’ve played here before many times but It’s rare to play in such a big ground in sevens.”
Dupont, though, led by example in the second match of the day.
He broke through before wrestling off the tackler in trademark fashion to go over for one of the most memorable tries of his distinguished career, receiving an ear-splitting reaction from his very own 70,000-strong adoring Stade de France fan club.
And it proved a crucial try as Uruguay immediately hit back for 12-12 before Jefferson-Lee Joseph burst clear to restore France’s lead – and they held on with six men following Timo Andy’s yellow card.
The 19-12 win secured three more points and virtually puts France through before they face the impressive Fiji tomorrow.
But the cheer that greeted the final whistle represented far more than a narrow victory against Uruguay – this truly marked the return of the Olympic Games in all their glory, superstars and superfans alike.
Athletics icon Carl Lewis unveiled the new look purple track, which was designed by Italian company Mondo.
It is made of rubber, covers an area of around 17,000 square metres and has been extended from eight to nine lanes.
President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee Tony Estanguet revealed that the idea was to create a more “joyful and festive” tone to the track.
It will feature three colours, two shades of purple (one lighter, closer to lavender and the other darker) and grey on the outside of the track.
Mondo have seen three hundred world records broken since the Italian company produced the tracks since 1972.
And it is hoped that many more will be broken at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
