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Posted (edited)

My analysis is going to be short and sweet. Rols has summarised this nicely and for the most part I agree with much of what he has said. 

For me, I can usually measure an Olympic Games by the emotion I have come the end of the event. Today I feel melancholy. 

Which is actually a sign of a memorable Olympic Games. I don’t want the beauty and majesty of these games to end. But end they must. 

Any quibbles I had with the opening ceremony were squashed by the performance of the athletes and the organization of these games by the volunteers, the IOC & local organizing committee. 

Time zone is important when you’re assessing a games, as it’s much more accessible to those in the region. And that’s important as live sport can’t be beaten. I struggle when viewing events in other regions for this reason. 

Overall, I have loved this event. For me they are comparable to London. I’m hesitant to say they surpass those games, but when you add in the beauty of Paris and the glorious weather, the argument could be made that these have been the pinnacle.

I have enjoyed posting again on this board. It’s a community I appreciate. I intend to stick around beyond these games, while we look to LA and beyond. 

Edited by Michelle
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Posted

 

I'm waiting for the closing ceremony to make my final verdict.

But the contract has been fulfilled. Games wide open? They have never been so open. Breaking the codes? There have never been so many new features, innovations as in any other edition of the games. Including the relay of the Olympic flame where, unless I'm mistaken, we were the first to literally hold a real ceremony for the arrival of the flame in the host country*. I even wonder if we should not open a new thread to discuss the impact that Paris 2024 can have on the future Olympic Games, because I think that these games will be one of the most influential in the last 40-50 years. Restore the image of the Olympic Games? There is a lot of work to do and Paris alone cannot fulfill this contract, but the IOC should thank us every day for the years to come. I have always thought that the Paris-LA tandem was capable of giving new pulse to the Olympic Games, and the first half of the contract has been fulfilled. Now it's time for LA.

The title of the opening ceremony was "Ca ira", "it'll be fine" in French. As an ode to audacity, to risk-taking, saying to ourselves we're going to try lots of things and it doesn't matter if some fail, because in the end, it'll be fine. Well for the closing ceremony, we could give it the title Yes, because indeed it was fine.

*(well technically, for Athens 2004 it was already the case with the traditional flame lighting ceremony; but since the games were held in the same country, we can consider that it also serves as a ceremony of the arrival of the flame in the country)

4 hours ago, Sir Rols said:

And a huge round of applause for @sebastien1214! You’ve really been one of the best new members we’ve had here for a long time. You fit this place like a glove. Thanks for giving us, and leading, the French perspective on Paris 2024. Really, really hope you stick around.

Thank you. It was a pleasure to share information about the Games from the country, starting with the ceremony. There will probably be things to say about the Paralympics too, but less than for the Olympic Games - I won't hide the fact that I will follow the Paralympics less, especially since it doesn't fall at the best time of year, the holidays will be over. And then, in six years we have the Games at home again, finally if Macron puts a government (of the left), so there will be new things that will happen quickly.

And of course, I think I'll continue to be present on the forum in the meantime - with less activity, which is logical since it's not every day that we have Games at home. (and I'm not necessarily looking to increase my number of messages very quickly either, I've always favored quality over quantity)

Posted

Hard to disagree with any of what Rols put. But some thoughts with his headings:

Ceremonies: Yeah it was mixed, but we must acknowledge the bad luck with the terrible weather. It affected everything. And Paris deserves huge credit for trying something radically different, because it was getting stale. And I think someone at some point will revisit the idea of going outside, and maybe clean up some of the misses in execution. Maybe Brisbane? Also the balloon cauldron is just beautiful, I really hope you keep it, ideally where it is. The Eiffel Tower was only temporary, remember ;)

Venues: I mean, where to start? The Concorde, the Tower, the Palais, Invalides, Tahiti (the whale!), the rugby arena-turned-pool, Stade de France, & of course that incredible road race. The greatest venue set in Olympic history, & it's hard to imagine it ever being beaten. And they pretty much nailed every element of design they made.

Crowds: Rols is completely right again - as a once a year rugby fan, I know what the French crowds are capable of, & they delivered & then some. Marchand's night of two golds is the closest thing to 2012's Super Saturday I've seen. The whole atmosphere has seemed amazing through the TV, it must've been so special there.

Organisation: Well, it looks like the food & maybe the Seine are the only duds. I think any Olympic host would take that at the start. 

Sports: I've posted elsewhere about GB specifically, but for the whole thing overall it's been everything you'd expect at an Olympics, only elevated because of the venues & atmosphere. Apart from breaking, the newer sports have worked brilliantly. The likes of climbing & skateboarding now feel like Olympic sports every bit as natural as the traditional favourites, especially having seen them as they should be, with crowds.

Gamesbids: It's been so good seeing the place alive. Discussing everything with people from many of the countries we're talking about has been great. To focus on two members Rols said, I hope @Olympian2004 can keep us updated on the Rhine Ruhr campaign from the heart of it, & I hope @sebastien1214 stays around, especially as France heads to 2030. As Rols said, you've really added to the board.

Conclusion: We had a lot of expectations for Paris. Well, I did. Frankly I think the Olympics needed 2024 to not just happen, or to be good but overshadowed, but to be one of the greats like Barcelona, Sydney or London. We all wanted it, as our reward for getting through everything of the last few years. And it has been. We must now talk about Barcelona, Sydney, London & Paris. Panache is exactly what it had, & personally, for probably the first time since 2012, I'll wake up tomorrow sad that the Olympics are over rather than relieved about something. This has been the Olympics we needed, exactly when we needed it, & I hope the next IOC President (can we fast track Estanguet?) keeps up the momentum & gets the IOC side back on track after Bach. I'm quite excited for LA, I'd rather have had New York tbh but I never saw 84 so I'm looking forward to it. They have a very high bar to reach. As for Paris...merci beaucoup pour tout. Let's not leave it another century before next time, eh?

  • Like 1
Posted

Thank you for your kind words, @Sir Rols and @yoshi. I have always wished to stick around also after the end of an edition of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but reality in the end proved otherwise, notwithstanding the occasional special event (like the European Championships in Munich and the 50th anniversary of the Munich 1972 Games in 2022). But we will see, let's say that these Games sparked my enthusiasm for the Olympic Games like no Games since 2012 ever did and maybe it will show in my presence in this forum. At the very least, I will stick around for the Paralympics and then be back for Milan/Cortina 2026. ;)

By the way, yoshi: You just told me something that even I didn't know about yet - that the Rhine/Ruhr region is still in the running for Germany's (potential) 2040 bid. I guess that shows that we in Germany really have to brush up on our eagerness to get the Games. :D And I would of course support a Rhine/Ruhr bid, since I grew up near Düsseldorf and don't live too far from the region now. But I think that due to higher name recognitition, Germany would probably be better served with Hamburg, Berlin or Munich. But we will see that was well.

Back to Paris: Is someone else experiencing withdrawal symptoms already now? The women's basketball final is still going on, and yet I feel sad already. I think that is truly a testatment to the great impression Paris 2024 made on so many people around the world, including me.

Posted
37 minutes ago, Olympian2004 said:


Back to Paris: Is someone else experiencing withdrawal symptoms already now? The women's basketball final is still going on, and yet I feel sad already. I think that is truly a testatment to the great impression Paris 2024 made on so many people around the world, including me.

I share those sentiments exactly. However my partner has just asked why the Olympics hasn’t ended already … not everyone can love the Olympics as much as us 😁

Posted

Whilst it has been great to have previous members back during the games, and their shoutouts are valid, however can we have a shoutout for those of us who have stuck with the forums for almost 20 years. As without us, there would be no Gamesbids for others to come back to :)

  • Like 1
Posted
21 minutes ago, Scotguy II said:

Whilst it has been great to have previous members back during the games, and their shoutouts are valid, however can we have a shoutout for those of us who have stuck with the forums for almost 20 years. As without us, there would be no Gamesbids for others to come back to :)

🙋🏻‍♀️ yes. I see you joined in ‘01. It’s amazing so many of us are still posting after two decades. It says a lot about this forum and about our commitment to this movement. 

  • Thanks 1
Posted

Ok, the sport is finally done.

Those games were fine. As in “amazing” fine. An addendum have to be made to some things in the organization that if they were on Rio or any new frontier, they would be lambasted to hell: the Sodexo worms, the Seine not looking too good ( emphasis in looking, the river was indeed swimmable but if you pick a photo from 2016 events in open waters and 2024, the look of the water wasn't so nice. Unfortunately, the look is all it takes to people to complain about it), etc.

But who cares, anyway! We got beach volleyball at the doorstep of the Tour Eiffel, surfing at Teahuopo, an Olympic park for the urban sports at the Concorde, who is hosting the Paras opening just to remember you. Wait, we had an adorably glitched ceremony, blighted by the rain but forever on people's hearts, be it because you liked it or hated it. I should be more happy with that party, but I guess my lack of more gold medals induced anxiety is dampening my spirits a bit. But hey, I should be proud anyway, it's the second best medal haul of my country ever.

Objectely it's a 10/10. Good times were had with the family watching on home or outside at the phone. It was fine, indeed.

PS: I have a little tale about the opening ceremony to tell before we look forward for the closing. I had a session with my therapist just when the ceremony was to begin, but luckily for me, here in Brasil, we had digital rights given by a YouTube channel. So, when I left, I just put the stream in 2x from the start of the show. I got lucky that I got my bus home right after, so just when I got home, with my family watching on the telly, the stream caught up with the live broadcast! That was fun.

  • Like 2
Posted
7 minutes ago, Guilga said:

Ok, the sport is finally done.

Those games were fine. As in “amazing” fine. An addendum have to be made to some things in the organization that if they were on Rio or any new frontier, they would be lambasted to hell: the Sodexo worms, the Seine not looking too good ( emphasis in looking, the river was indeed swimmable but if you pick a photo from 2016 events in open waters and 2024, the look of the water wasn't so nice. Unfortunately, the look is all it takes to people to complain about it), etc.

But who cares, anyway! We got beach volleyball at the doorstep of the Tour Eiffel, surfing at Teahuopo, an Olympic park for the urban sports at the Concorde, who is hosting the Paras opening just to remember you. Wait, we had an adorably glitched ceremony, blighted by the rain but forever on people's hearts, be it because you liked it or hated it. I should be more happy with that party, but I guess my lack of more gold medals induced anxiety is dampening my spirits a bit. But hey, I should be proud anyway, it's the second best medal haul of my country ever.

Objectely it's a 10/10. Good times were had with the family watching on home or outside at the phone. It was fine, indeed.

PS: I have a little tale about the opening ceremony to tell before we look forward for the closing. I had a session with my therapist just when the ceremony was to begin, but luckily for me, here in Brasil, we had digital rights given by a YouTube channel. So, when I left, I just put the stream in 2x from the start of the show. I got lucky that I got my bus home right after, so just when I got home, with my family watching on the telly, the stream caught up with the live broadcast! That was fun.

Fabulous post. I smiled reading this. Thank you. 

  • Like 1
Posted (edited)
3 hours ago, Michelle said:

I share those sentiments exactly. However my partner has just asked why the Olympics hasn’t ended already … not everyone can love the Olympics as much as us 😁

My partner of course knows and tolerates my Olympics obsession, even usually watches highlights with me (and asks me to save certain events like gymnastics or ice dancing with him). But this time he really caught the spirit too. He was getting up with me at 4:30am to watch the swimming each day, caught the highlights each evening when he finished work, watched (and loved) the OC and has asked me to wake him (in about 20 mins) for the closing. He gushes about Paris’ games as much as me. We may have a new convert.

Edited by Sir Rols
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Posted
37 minutes ago, Sir Rols said:

My partner of course knows and tolerates my Olympics obsession, even usually watches highlights with me (and asks me to save certain events like gymnastics or ice dancing with him). But this time he really caught the spirit too. He was getting up with me at 4:30am to watch the swimming each day, caught the highlights each evening when he finished work, watched (and loved) the OC and has asked me to wake him (in about 20 mins) for the closing. He gushes about Paris’ games as much as me. We may have a new convert.

If so, could you both attend the next games in LA? I have said about going, which is now on the cards. The world needed this after Tokyo & Covid… it has reawakened my passion for all things Olympics. (I’d also love to attend Milano in 2026… I really do love a winter schedule). 

Posted
33 minutes ago, Michelle said:

If so, could you both attend the next games in LA? I have said about going, which is now on the cards. The world needed this after Tokyo & Covid… it has reawakened my passion for all things Olympics. (I’d also love to attend Milano in 2026… I really do love a winter schedule). 

Might be hard to convince him for LA - took him there a couple of years ago and he wasn’t impressed.

Posted
Quote

And I would of course support a Rhine/Ruhr bid, But I think that due to higher name recognitition, Germany would probably be better served with Hamburg, Berlin or Munich. But we will see that was well.

If we can have Brisbane, then Rhine-Rhine shouldn't be a problem, if need be. 

Posted
4 hours ago, Michelle said:

I share those sentiments exactly. However my partner has just asked why the Olympics hasn't ended already … not everyone can love the Olympics as much as us 😁

Just blasphemous! Though, considering what a roaring (literally & figuratively) success these Games were, those type of naysayers should be in the minority. Won't surprise me either NBC releasing their viewership numbers in a few days, & saying how these Games were the most watched Olympics in who knows how long (if maybe not the most watched ever). L.A. 2028 should also be a ratings-bonanza for NBC.

Posted

And now my verdict point by point. I did well to wait for the closing ceremony, apparently.

Ceremonies: ah, we have to start with the most sensitive point. I really liked the opening ceremony. And in the end, the more the weeks go by, the more I appreciate its imperfections. It gives an even more French side to a ceremony that was already so French. And then above all, it is a ceremony that made me proud to be French, which was far from being a given. It sweeps away almost all the imperfections of the ceremony when it manages to touch the deepest part of people's souls. Now, the closing was disappointing. But hey, I had no expectations for this ceremony anyway. It just convinced me that we really have to do crazy things because when it comes to anything conventional, we are not very good at it. Also, I would like to add bonus points for the flame arrival ceremony in Marseille. It was very joyful. It was unprecedented. It was great to launch the festivities in France. In fact, this was the atmosphere we should have had for this closing ceremony, especially after the exceptional Games we experienced. 14/20

Look/venues: Exceptional, quite simply. I don't really have many words to add, apart from chaining compliments. I don't know if we'll ever see games as beautiful as those in Paris in this respect. But a downside for the Seine, because even if I salute the undeniable efforts made, it was clearly not totally sufficient. It would have taken one or two more years, perhaps. As for the look of the Games, I love these pastel colors. The visual charter is superb. 19/20

Atmosphere: fantastic there too. Everywhere, a great atmosphere, except maybe in the final stages of basketball (where the seats were the most expensive... and that scares me for LA28 clearly). Even the general atmosphere in the city was great. 19/20

Organization: we expected the worst in France, we were pleasantly surprised. The COJO did a great job. Obviously some problems in the Olympic village, but it doesn't seem scandalous to me (I have the impression that for all editions of the Olympic Games there are problems at the OV anyway). Even the transport was great. 17/20

Sports: exceptional games for France. And even outside France, there were plenty of nice stories, breathtaking events (the 100m final), Duplantis of course, the return to grace of Simone Biles... the athletes lived up to these games. 18/20

In conclusion? These are exceptional games. I am sad that they are over. Of course, there are the Paralympics, but let's be honest... it doesn't have the same flavor. And even if it's only in two weeks, in the meantime in France we will have already had time to hate each other again.

All this will have cost us 9-10 billion euros, half in private money, so at the taxpayer level, around 5 billion euros. Compared to the previous games, it's not much.

I am happy that Paris has succeeded in what was expected of it: relaunching the Olympic brand. Paris had no right to make a mistake, and Paris won. Above all, all of us French people loved these Games. We are already nostalgic for them. And we would be very happy to host them again. I hope I will experience another Summer Games in my country in my life, because if I have to wait another 100 years I am screwed.

Now it is time for Los Angeles. I have no doubt that Los Angeles will be as memorable as Paris, in its own way, and that they too will contribute to relaunching the Olympic Games. Wishing the best for Los Angeles; hoping that the Americans who did not experience Atlanta 1996 can, in 4 years, feel the same thing that we, the French, have experienced and felt these last two weeks. You'll see @Bear it's going to be awesome. Ca ira.

And thank you for some of your messages about me; it was also a real pleasure to exchange with you about these Games and the Olympic movement in general, even if sometimes it's tough but you know, with what I do in real life I'm used to it haha. Thanks @Sir Rols @yoshi for your kind attention and more generally to all those with whom I have exchanged during these last months, I have learned a lot of things (and I hope that you have been able to learn about these Paris games) about the Games in general, and it is always very pleasant to exchange* with people from all over the world on a subject that interests us all, the Olympic Games.

*(except xenophobes, homophobes, racists and etc etc)

  • Like 3
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Posted

It was better than I expected it to be, and I watched a lot more than I thought I would and I enjoyed it. When I was a kid I was way more excited by each edition, and as an adult I feel less excited, I don't want to be a cynical curmudgeon. But I did really like this edition, and I think next Summer Games might light that spark again a little bit. For now I still count myself as a fan. 

Posted

A memorable Olympics and Paris 2024 went smoothly without major incident despite that arson attack on the day of the Opening Ceremony. 

Australia were magnificent with our biggest medal haul away from home and finishing 4th on the medal table, equaling our best performance at an Olympic Games this century alongside Sydney and Athens as well as winning 18 gold medals 

Posted (edited)
10 hours ago, Scotguy II said:

Whilst it has been great to have previous members back during the games, and their shoutouts are valid, however can we have a shoutout for those of us who have stuck with the forums for almost 20 years. As without us, there would be no Gamesbids for others to come back to :)

You know I consider you all good mates and am pleased whenever the old crowd pops in. I just felt I’d been pestering you all too much with the comp @ call-outs already to pester you again. You’re all in my thoughts.

Edited by Sir Rols
Posted

I slept or worked through most of these games...But as I warmed to them, noticed they were well patronised and full of excitement.

France just seemed to let everyone do their thing without too much hindrance from the authorities - who were there but not in everyone's faces. 

Really, it was Europe's show and proves that another mainland games could be hosted, perhaps in Germany, in 2036.

In my "I can remember" lifetime, we are about to go full cycle as 2028 returns to LA. So this kind of resets the clock so to speak.

In my own rankings it sort of works in there up with London 2012 as still my favourite and sort of pushing Barcelona 1992 out of second place into 3rd...yes I'm happy with 2024 as second favourite.  The thing that bugged me the most was the opening ceremony and that stupid hot air balloon cauldron beacon thingy. It was just far too much.  My rankings also include my home nation's (NZ) results at the games.

I give these games a great effort and worthy A.

(You can just sense LA28 holding back what are going to be an awesome spectacle of all time, coming)

See you in LA 2028!

Posted

My verdict will probably looks different. I'm French, I have been waiting for Games at home since 2001 (I was 10 but I remember where I was when I learnt that Paris 2008 lost vs Beijing) and I had a dense programme in Paris: one event on site each day, generally a morning session, and both ceremonies (and of course watching Olympics on TV as soon as I was back at the hotel).

First, the opening ceremony. I bought the cheapest possible ticket, in a zone with no seated places. But a little bit later, I received an email asking if I wanted to join the supporters' square. You've certainly seen huge athletes faces on cardboard during events: that was part of the supporters' squares that were put in place to support French athletes, and one of them has also been set up for the ceremony. So, I wasn't placed at the very start of the parade as expected but close to the end, just before the Passerelle Debilly that was on my left, the Seine in front of me, a giant screen of my right, the top of the Eiffel tower behind me and a French flag given at the entrance.

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It started calmly, looking at the screen for the first acts. Then, the Greece boat arrives, those who were the closest to the river started to applaude and waving their flags for every boat.

Then, the Festivité segment started. It was an incredible party, culminating with the arrival of the French delegation (a few minutes before, we received bigger flags to welcome them)

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Unbelievable feeling to have a party all around: looking at the river, then the bridge, checking the giant screen and looking back at the Eiffel tower, with spectators dancing and partying.

Oh yeah, it rained too. Nobody cared.

 

I attended 19 sports events and absolutely no problems, the biggest hiccup was a delay for the doors opening at the Stade de France the very first day. Nobody noticed the intruder just before the men 100m final, just wondering why the start took so long. Everything was well indicated, volunteers were on top, Phryges were phryge-ing... Excellent mood everywhere.

However, shame to Coca-Cola. Before the Games, they claimed they'd reduce their plastic consumption by using fountains and reusable cups. I haven't seen a single functioning fountain: when you ordered a drink, a bottle was taken out of a fridge, poured into a cup and the bottle was thrown. Completely stupid.

There were an extra event for me: the Marathon pour tous. I took part to the 10km run and once again, incredible atmosphere. A lot of spectators considering that it's an amateur race. When I say "a lot", it means that, at 2am, there were so much people cheering that I wonder how professional athletes deal with so much noise. Also, it's a Paris tour by night so you can imagine the panorama.

And now, I have a medal with Olympic rings on it. Wonder if I can add OLY to my name...

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Finally, the closing ceremony. I haven't seen the TV version yet, so it's only from what I've seen from my seat. I thought the artistic part would be more important and more integrated with the others parts of the ceremony. That was great but I expected even better. Probably too long too, some people started leaving during the LA sequence.

As a whole, these 19 days were extraordinary, a period out of time and space. If you are in the US, in Australia or in any future host countries, I hope you'll be able to enjoy these future Olympics as much as I did. And try to be fitter than me, I covered 140 km despite the dense public transportation network, my feet and my back need to rest before Paralympics.

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Posted

So let’s see, Paris got absolutely NOTHING out of this for its citizens, no subway extensions or anything. For the average citizen, what was the point of hosting this Five Ring Circus?

This arguably makes it worse than Athens.

Posted
45 minutes ago, MisterSG1 said:

So let’s see, Paris got absolutely NOTHING out of this for its citizens, no subway extensions or anything. For the average citizen, what was the point of hosting this Five Ring Circus?

This arguably makes it worse than Athens.

I know I shouldn't engage with a troll... but... Aside from the improvements to the Seine, the Athlete's Village will be turned into new much-needed housing. 

Further, Paris (Like Atlanta 1996 and LA84) used mostly existing and temporary venues. They kept costs low. These were a games for the people to enjoy and based on the reviews by our French friends (and others who made it to Paris this summer), the games succeeded in that regard. 

Paris' bid committee did not overpromise. They promised exactly what they delivered. 

I think this notion that the games must always have huge infrastructure improvements or whatever is what got us into the messes of Rio, Sochi, and Athens--tainting the Olympic brand and movement. Global cities like Paris and Los Angeles can simply host the games and inspire the world without a bunch of add-on bells and whistles. Which, really, is exactly what the movement needs right now. 

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Posted
16 minutes ago, mr.bernham said:

I know I shouldn't engage with a troll... but... Aside from the improvements to the Seine, the Athlete's Village will be turned into new much-needed housing. 

Further, Paris (Like Atlanta 1996 and LA84) used mostly existing and temporary venues. They kept costs low. These were a games for the people to enjoy and based on the reviews by our French friends (and others who made it to Paris this summer), the games succeeded in that regard. 

Paris' bid committee did not overpromise. They promised exactly what they delivered. 

I think this notion that the games must always have huge infrastructure improvements or whatever is what got us into the messes of Rio, Sochi, and Athens--tainting the Olympic brand and movement. Global cities like Paris and Los Angeles can simply host the games and inspire the world without a bunch of add-on bells and whistles. Which, really, is exactly what the movement needs right now. 

No, the movement needs to die period, nothing good comes out of it anymore.

Barcelona was often quoted as the best Olympics ever for the infrastructure was it not? Then the question becomes what is the purpose of hosting at all if there’s nothing the citizenry gains from it.

Even if Paris conservatively spent 10 billion Euros, I can think of so many other things that 10 billion euros could be spent on, transportation infrastructure, health care, etc. Instead, the IOC fleeced Paris out of 10 billion euros so they could disrupt the lives of everyday people with nothing to gain from it.

Toronto’s olympic bids in the past were focused entirely on legacy, noticeably unlocking the Port Lands which still sit pretty much abandoned after all this time.

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