NBA (DR) / The Team Channel (DR)

Despite initial doubts, the first round of the basketball tournaments was exceptional thanks to the Lille fans. Unfortunately, the Olympic fervor does not seem to be the same in Paris, which has led to a big controversy on social networks.

When the Paris Olympics organizing committee began to look into the basketball tournament, the controversies came thick and fast.

Because all the big halls in the capital were taken by other disciplines, the idea was initially to put the basketball players in the exhibition hall that serves for the Salon de l’Agriculture.

Imagining LeBron James and Nikola Jokic in this environment did not necessarily please the fans.

Finally, after further hesitation, it was the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille that was selected.

Some were skeptical because of the distance, but it is clear that this first round, both for the men and the women, was a huge popular success…

And following the return to Paris for the knockout phase, we could even have some regrets.

Empty stands at Accor Arena annoy fans!

In Lille, for a week, 800,000 spectators followed one another in the stands of the Stade Pierre Mauroy, where they created a fiery atmosphere for all the teams involved…

The comparison with the Accor Arena in Paris is therefore terrible, since many seats are now reserved for absent partners. The feeling of emptiness contrasts with previous matches.

And the most annoying thing for the fans is that the guests did not make the trip for a French team match, while some would give anything to live this dream.

Let’s hope that the victory against Canada will change the situation, and that until a possible final, the stands will be full. Our Bleus/Bleues deserve that.

The Olympic Games should be a popular celebration, an event that brings together all sports fans… Unfortunately, in the basketball tournament, a large proportion of the places were reserved for absent partners.