GOLD RUSH

With conflict around the world, Paris 2024 was a ray of light. Here are our highs of a mighty Olympics

- John Whitney

If Parisians had a slight delay for their annual summer fix of the world's best cyclists racing through their city, then good things would indeed come for those who waited. July's Tour de France was forced to end its 2024 edition outside of the French capital for the first time in its 121-year history, due to the Summer Olympics taking place in the city.

With tradition dictating that the final stage of the Tour is processional for the yellow jersey contenders, the race - such a striding colossus as it barrels through the provinces around France seems to visibly shrink in the lights of the big city.