Tales from the City of Light

Yes, as there are with many events, there’s criticism directed at the Olympic Games being held this summer in Paris. There are inspiring stories, however, that emerge from every spectacle. Read below an example of “greatness in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.” It’s an impressive story from Worchester, Massachusetts, of all places, about a young man disguised as Clarke Kent who has just performed superhuman feats on the pommel horse. He also can solve a Rubix Cube in 9 seconds. Watch and rejoice for him and for Team USA:

@gymnaststeveWrist rehab♬ original sound – Stephen Nedoroscik

Stephen Nedoroscik had to score big on pommel horse for Team USA in the last rotation…

AND HE DID.

: NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/hkhiHpovyh

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 29, 2024

Les Miserables

The Folly of the Greens:
Why are world-class athletes subjected to what greenies thought best for elite athletes? No one should be surprised that the athletes demand more meat. Competitors attempting to post the greatest performances of their lives, reports the WSJ, are suddenly forced to adapt to somebody’s idea of a politically correct breakfast menu. Andrew Stuttaford in NRO provides examples:

The options in and around the cavernous food hall for athletes are twisted artichoke-truffle croissants, lentil dal and beefless bourguignon.

Politically Correct Dining

The Paris Olympics organizers, in other words, those who did not spend the last several years of their lives preparing to compete at the highest level of athletic competition, decided to impose their “food vision” on the people who do compete.

It seems that Paris “Climate fundamentalists” attach great importance to public displays of faith, and the 2024 preparations to provide “low-carbon food” and “sustainable catering” have been extensive. What is missing is their concern for the needs and demands of the athletes—who are generally regarded as an important part of the Olympics. Below is some of the official blather from the climate-obsessed organizers:

The Equivalent of EDG Investing: Dinning

Paris 2024 has committed to halving the carbon footprint of the Games by implementing a Climate Strategy based on anticipating, avoiding, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To do so, Paris 2024 has developed a new model to account for CO2 emissions in its decisions, referring to a target carbon footprint to stick to rather than a carbon assessment. Catering services within Paris 2024’s scope of responsibility quickly emerged as one of the actions where this ambition could best be achieved. By setting a target of 1 kg of CO2 per meal – i.e., half of the 2 kg carbon footprint of each meal served at previous editions of the Games or that of the average person in France– Paris 2024 wanted to implement and promote new solutions throughout the supply chain.

Reducing Animal Proteins: An Olympic Goal

Ennui seems to be rampant in France. But why must it be fostered on the rest of us happy folk? Politico reports on a state dinner a state dinner organized by President Macron, “defender of the planet.” Monsieur Marcon hosted a dinner last year for “neo-feudalist ascetic deluxe Prince King Charles.”

Eating Your Way to a Record-High Deficit

A decadent dinner costing nearly €475,000 for the U.K.’s King Charles III helped push France’s Élysée Palace — the office of President Emmanuel Macron —to a record high deficit last year. . . .

Do As They Say, …

Resembling a Communist state, the Inside Group vs the Outside Group, the French president hosted the British head of state last year at Versailles, historical home of the French monarchy, notorious for its extravagances. Included in the star-studded feast were at least 160 invitees, including Rolling Stones’ singer Mick Jagger and British actor Hugh Grant.

The dinner, during which guests enjoyed blue lobster and rose macaroons cost the French presidency close to €475,000 — including over €165,000 on catering and over €40,000 on wine (including a bottle of 2004 Château Mouton Rothschild) and other drinks.