The muted pastels on display in Bercy Arena in Paris are a great backdrop to the spectacular gymnastics athleticism on display during the 2024 Summer Olympics, but they're also greatly appreciated by the athletes themselves.
Karen Braun reported for Reuters that several competitors about their surroundings and heard rave reviews of the teal and blue geometric designs and pink trim.
"It's gorgeous, everybody is calling it the Barbie Dream House," U.S.-born gymnast Luisa Blanco, who is representing Colombia, told Reuters.
Green accents appear on the vault table, and ombre green legs support the balance beam and pommel horse.
"When I first walked in the gym, I saw the green pommel horse," said first-time Olympian Frederick Richard, who helped to lift the U.S. to a bronze medal in the team event on Monday. "There was something about it; I said, 'Wow, I like this pommel horse a lot.' I'm comfortable on it."
Samantha Peszek, a 2008 U.S. team silver medallist who is now an NBC broadcaster, told Reuters, "Everyone says it almost looks like toy equipment because it's such a light pastel color,"
"The look of the 2024 Games is meant to exude Parisian style and elegance, according to Paris's official city website," Braun wrote. "The designs were inspired by the Art Deco movement popular in 1924, when Paris last hosted the Olympics."
"The color scheme is kind of calming," said U.S. coach Jess Graba. "The girls were talking about it. This is kind of calm in here, as opposed to too intense."
