Team Ireland’s roll call of medals hasn’t left much time to venture out into the wider world of these Games. That’s the Olympics, it draws us in from near and far and, while we share metros and breakfast buffets, it's all too easy to get stuck in your own lane. The access-all-venues media pass is a ridiculous luxury in that respect.
One piece of laminated plastic draped around your neck opens up a world that is catnip for anyone into their sport. Think Homer Simpson daydreaming in the ‘Land of Chocolate’, taking bites out of chocolate lampposts and chocolate dogs. And still being drawn to .
.. chocolate on sale at half price in a chocolate shop.
The Olympics always leaves you wanting more. So we looked up the schedule one day and, after chewing through the BMX and skateboard possibilities, we landed on the fencing at the Grand Palais. That was the sum total of our knowledge.
It could have been a nothing in a half-empty shell. But of course it wasn’t. What we walked in on was the end game of the men’s team sabre semi-finals (good) with South Korea facing the hosts (wow, excellent) in a sublime venue (could this be any better?) in front of a charged French crowd (magnifique).
The place was built for the Universal Exposition of 1900 and it’s all imposing stone facades, ornate ironworks and glass ceilings. Apparently there’s an inscription on a wall somewhere that reads: “a monument dedicated by the Republic to the glory of French art” but you’d be hard pre.