You think Parisians grumble a lot? Don’t get them started on the Olympic Games

  • 📰 GuardianAus
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 47 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 22%
  • Publisher: 98%

Australia Headlines News

Australia Latest News,Australia Headlines

From price rises to a ridiculous mascot, the French have had it up to here with the event

as a fairytale princess, all romance and half-seen glitter. But for all its glamour, Paris has actually been depressed and irritable for a couple of hundred years now.

Parisians have always been like this. Show me a jolly cockney-type in a Balzac or Zola novel. The 19th-century city was a cracked pot on an unattended stove, boiling over every decade or so. Riots, barricades, militias and then a whole lot of informing on your neighbours. National political life has long been driven by the ferment of the capital’s mutinous and untrusting streets. And it is just the same now. Or worse. Paris has had something of a prewar air ever since I’ve known the city.

Everyone I know here basically hates the idea of the Olympics, which rather makes you wonder what they’re for. People resent the authorities shutting down large parts of this small, overpopulated city for something that nobody cares about. What normal person can name three Olympians? Usain Bolt, Jesse Owens and that bloke from? Parisian bosses are telling workers to go on holiday or work from home for the duration.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 1. in AU

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Much-loved Australian marathon man Liam Adams shattered by ‘nightmare’ Olympic news7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Source: 7NewsMelbourne - 🏆 18. / 59 Read more »

Australian Olympic marathon runner Liam Adams believes qualification rules changed, leaving him out of Paris GamesAustralian marathon runner Liam Adams has said he 'was in complete shock' when he discovered he had not qualified for this year's Paris Olympic Games.
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »

Australian Olympic figure skater Brendan Kerry banned by US for sexual misconductAustralian Olympic figure skater Brendan Kerry has been banned by the US Center for SafeSport for sexual misconduct involving a minor.
Source: SBSNews - 🏆 3. / 89 Read more »

Australian Olympic figure skater Brendan Kerry banned by US sport safety body for sexual misconductThe ruling by the US Center for SafeSport bans Kerry for life from any events or activities controlled by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »

Aussie Olympic flagbearer handed ban for alleged sexual misconduct with minorAussie Olympic flagbearer handed ban for alleged sexual misconduct with minor
Source: FOXSportsAUS - 🏆 24. / 51 Read more »

Aussie Olympic hero Steven Bradbury officially recognised for amazing act of bravery7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Source: 7NewsAustralia - 🏆 11. / 71 Read more »