Get in, reader, we’re going to Paris 🥐🥇
Comment ça va, dear reader? It’s been a minute — we’ve missed you! But we’ve dusted off the ol’ quill and scroll and cracked our ink-stained knuckles to get back to what we all love most about this time of year: The Summer Olympics. And this time, we’re headed to Paris for all the gold medals and croissants our hearts desire.
First, an intro! Je suis Rachel. (Your girl has been using Babbel to brush up on her French, and dammit if I won’t try to use some here — you’re welcome! Or, désolé!) I’m genuinely jazzed to be your Chasing Gold guide throughout the 2024 Paris Olympics, my first Summer Games and second Games overall.
I covered the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, writing about Chloe Kim’s domination, the U.S. women’s hockey team capturing gold, a snowboarder who was also a car mechanic to make ends meet, along with some real nerdy features, like what it’s like for U.S. bobsledders to prepare and maintain their sleds and how U.S. cross country ski wax technicians are more than just wax technicians to the athletes. (I low-key had to sneak behind two access checkpoints to get to the team’s ski wax cabin! I’m just that dedicated to taking you behind the scenes.)
So those vibes will continue in this newsletter, and I will:
- bring you behind the scenes of life on the ground in Paris
- make you feel as connected as possible to the Olympic experience
- give you a daily croissant rating
- show you how the greatest athletes achieve their dreams or what they do in the face of heartbreak
BUT! Dear reader, I want to meet you! So here is a super, duper fast — like Sha’carri Richardson in the 100m fast — reader survey. I want to learn who you are and what you want as a subscriber of this newsletter, so we can deliver you the most engaging and informative Olympics newsletter during the Games. So weigh in, s'il vous plaît! Your voice matters.
I’ll be in your inbox every Monday morning until the Paris Olympics start July 26, then I’ll be a daily blessing (or a daily pop-up book from hell) in your inbox through the Closing Ceremony on Aug. 11. I’m stoked on the journey ahead, and can’t wait to share it with you all.
Questions? Story idea? Curious about something? Shoot me an email at rbowers@gannett.com or follow me on Twitter @rachelgbowers.