I propose sports as a “Big C” cultural lens for exploring French. To explore sports, we ask ourselves the following “little c” questions Which sports are popular? Who practices them? How are sports consumed (e.g., professional or national sports teams watched)? When do people practice or watch sports? Where do athletes get their training? What are the inequities in access to sports training, and how can these be addressed? I had the immense privilege to be in Paris both in 2017 when the city was making its bid and in 2024 when the Games took place. I was able to observe the city making its final preparations for the Olympics before attending several events. I was also able to witness the presence of the Games at other events and sites around the city, including museums with exhibitions related to sports and the Olympics, and activities in the arrondissements of Paris. In this session, I will share what I learned as well as how I will bring it into my classroom.
