Paris gave us a show to live long in the memory

Our writers pick their highs and lows from a fortnight at the Games

- Matt Majendie and Malik Ouzia

HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAMES

Much like at London 2012, any time a home athlete was competing, the noise at the Paris venues was deafening. But it seemed to reach new heights as Joris Daudet led home countrymen Sylvain Andre and Romain Mahieu in a French 1-2-3 in the BMX racing watched by President Emmanuel Macron.

One of the trio chucked a bike across the track in celebration, while another hurled their helmet into the crowd. It was pure, unadulterated chaos and thrilling. MM Whenever Leon Marchand was in the pool, La Defense Arena was the place to be.

I was not there the night he won two gold medals in a session, but Paris that evening was incredible, with raucous celebrations in every bar and restaurant, and renditions of La Marseillaise drifting down every street. I was, though, lucky enough to be there in person for his fourth and final gold medal and did not experience a better atmosphere all Games.

BEST BRITISH MOMENT

Alex Yee looked to have settled for silver when his former flatmate, New Zealander Hayden Wilde, sprung clear on the run in the individual triathlon and held a handy advantage going towards the finish.