August 6th 2024.
The atmosphere at the Stade de France was electric as Armand Duplantis rang the Olympic bell, marking his incredible world record in the men's pole vault event. BBC host Gabby Logan couldn't help but share her thoughts about the bell's authenticity, sparking some speculation among viewers.
It has become a tradition for every gold medallist in track and field events at the Paris Olympics to have the honor of ringing the bell inside the stadium. The crowd falls silent in anticipation as the athlete approaches the bell, making it a special moment for both the athlete and the spectators.
But Logan couldn't help but notice that the bell seemed to start ringing even before the athlete pulled it. She playfully compared it to Santa Claus, wondering if what she was witnessing was real. Former United States sprinter Michael Johnson, who was working as a pundit for the BBC in Paris, offered a more practical explanation, suggesting that there was a delay on their monitor.
Logan couldn't resist teasing Johnson, wondering if there was some theatrical element to the bell-ringing. Johnson played along, joking that she just wanted to go down and ring the bell herself. But Logan was determined to get to the bottom of it, stating that it was her duty as a journalist to investigate the authenticity of the bell. Johnson offered to go down and ring it himself, much to Logan's amusement.
In fact, Johnson's explanation may be the most credible one, as the bell had been tested by United States sprinting legend Carl Lewis and Paris 2024 chief organizer Tony Estanguet earlier that week. Estanguet explained that the bell was a way for gold medallists to celebrate their achievements and would eventually be moved to a permanent home at the rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral as part of the legacy of the Paris Olympics.
As the evening at the Stade de France continued, more athletes had the chance to ring the bell, including Team GB's Keely Hodgkinson after her incredible win in the 800m final. And while Logan's theory may have been debunked, it was a reminder of the magic and excitement that surrounds the Olympics and the special moments that are created for both athletes and fans alike.
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