Paris Olympics 2024 live Day 3 updates

In so many ways, these French Games have already delivered a truly unique, French feel. But, hearing 25,000 fans stand to sing the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, ahead of the France–Canada women’s basketball game was a moment I won’t soon forget.

France fed off that energy and gave its fans something to cheer about (which, yes, they did for 40 straight minutes). Les Bleues, as the team is known, turned out a 75-54 win over Canada, including one of the most impressive quarters of basketball I’ve seen. In the second quarter, France didn’t just go on a 22-0 run, it also held Canada to just two total points. For a team that wanted to come into these Olympic Games with an identity of “defense, defense, defense,” they certainly delivered.

The French women gave to their fans and the fans gave to the team. For Gabby Williams, who is in her second Olympics — but her first with fans — to have this kind of environment for the first game of these French Olympics was incredibly special.

“We’ve been so much in our bubble these last two months, what we want to work on, our team … that I kind of forgot like, ‘Oh yeah, we’re going to have an Olympics with fans!’ ” Gabby Williams said. “No, I couldn’t even dream it.”

“We’ve talked about the Olympic Games for a long time — too long — we couldn’t wait,” Marine Johannés added.

On offense, Les Bleues put together as very balanced game plan. Eight different players played at least 15 minutes and six players scored at least seven points. But France (and its fans) are likely eager to get Johannés going from range. The exciting long-range shooter was just 1-of-9 from behind the arc. If France can do that, I can’t even imagine what the arena will sound like…