Photos: Favorite Paris Olympic images taken by SCNG photographer Keith Birmingham

22.08.2024 20:35

DailyNews.com

Simone Biles runs with the flag after the United States wins gold during the gymnastics team competition in Barcy Arena during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)

Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia reacts as she wins the women’s 100m final as She”carri Richardson, left, of the United States finished second for the silver medal and Melissa Jefferson of the United States finished third for the bronze medal during track and field at Stade de France during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Saint-Denis on Saturday, August 3, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)

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In less than three weeks I was able to experience all that goes along with theOlympics, recording the moments of winning gold or the agony of defeat — and allthat comes in between.

It was truly a wonderful 17 days.

Welcome to Paris and the 2024 Summer Olympics.

I hit the ground running from day one, working mostly 15-hour days, walking a littlemore than 200 miles, coming out to about 440,000 steps. Most of those stepsseemed to be walking up or down stairs — and while carrying backpack — but it allwent by so fast and smooth.

My typical day started by mapping out my strategy.

I’d look at my assignment, then check the event schedule and their locations and would go from there.

I tried to get to at least two events, sometimes three, depending on their locations.

I would gather my gear and, if I had time, I would grab a little breakfast downstairs at the hotel.

Our hotel was great, especially when compared to the stories I heard from otherphotographers about their accommodations.

I had three convenient metro stations just outside of the hotel, and I was withinwalking distance to a couple of the venues. In most cases, it took two trains onaverage to get to where I needed to be.

From there, it was off to the media center at the specific venue, where I wouldcheck out a locker to store my equipment, check the daily schedule of events.

When it came to shooting the men’s and women’s 100 meters, for example, wehad to stake out our spots more than five hours in advance, as you can’t markspots ahead of time at the Olympics.

Once the events were finished, usually around 11:30 p.m., I would head back tothe venue’s media center, send a few more images, gather my gear and shuttle back to the main media center then metro back to hotel.

There were more than 2,000 photographers from across the world covering the Olympics.

Among my many wonderful memories will be when swimming spectators erupted with deafening cheers as French swimmer Leon Marchand won his first of four Gold Medals. And then there was the moment when American swimmer Katie Ledecky dominated the competition, winning gold in the 1,500-meter freestyle.

There was the beauty of Eiffel Tower Stadium, where beach volleyball playerswrote their own Olympic history in the shadow of the 137-year-old world famouslandmark.

Witnessing Simone Biles win gymnastics gold, or long jumper Tara Davis-Woodhall and hurdles runner Anna embracing while wrapped in an American flag.

There was the experience of watching Great Britain’s Megan Keith, who finished last in the 10,000 meters, as she was carried home during the final lap by the cheers of 80,000 spectators. There were so many wonderful moments it’s hard to recall them all.

I loved being able to shoot next to some of the best sports photographers in the world, and seeing friends that I haven’t seen in a while. But the biggest moment for me was shooting a Pool C preliminary rugby match between the USA and France.

It was played two days prior to the Opening Ceremony. The significance? It meant that I made it to the Olympics.

I truly appreciate all of those that helped me cover such a remarkable event.

Photos: Favorite Paris Olympic images taken by SCNG photographer Keith Birmingham

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