Editor’s note: Anna Laible of Lehighton is covering the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, with a team of fellow journalists from the University of North Carolina. She is reporting regularly on her experience there.

Day 1: First 24 hours

Olympics here I come!

After most of our team got to the Raleigh Durham airport (some of our team was meeting us in Paris), we had some free time after security and it was fun getting to know some of the other UNC students that I didn’t know.

I tried my hardest to sleep on the plane, but was unsuccessful. I did, however, meet a high schooler from Slovenia and I had a nice conversation with her for the later part of the plane ride.

Once we landed in Paris and made it through customs, we made our way to our hotel where we all met up as a team for the first time. After our orientation, we explored a little of the Paris city while I picked up all of my media credentials.

Amid the rain, it was really pretty to see parts of the city at a glance and I can’t wait to see more parts throughout my trip.

To finish off our evening, we had a team dinner and I tried creme brulee for the first time. It was a fun time to bond with students who I haven’t been around much and a great time to game plan for the next few days.

I can’t wait for what else is to come!

Day 2

Someone pinch me — today felt like a dream!

We started the day by taking the metro to Bercy Arena, home of all the gymnastics competitions in Paris. Once I made it in, I found the print media seating that would be my home for the next 10 hours.

Before session 2, I had the chance to interview NBC reporter and Elon alum, Zora Stephenson. After the first qualifying session, it was Team USA’s turn. It was truly incredible seeing the goat Simone Biles compete in person for the first time — I felt like I was dreaming!

Next up was qualifying 3 featuring Luisa Blanco, who had an assistant coach at Alabama that previously was at UNC. Next stop — the media mixed zone where I was able to talk with Luisa. After writing my stories, I quickly stopped by the Trocadero and got a few fun pictures before I ate dinner with my fellow UNC teammates and then we made the trek back to our hotel.

Excited to sleep and repeat going to different venues the next two weeks!

Follow along on my Instagram (@anna_laible) for pictures and videos as I head to different venues.