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I just returned from the Paris Olympics and it was nothing like I expected. These 7 awful things surprised me the most.

August 15, 20240
At times, the trains in Paris were much hotter than the outside air.

Courtesy of Manseen Logan

During my time in Paris, the temperature got as hot as 97 degrees Fahrenheit. But even in 70 and 80 degree-weather, I experienced unbearable heat in my hotel room. Most times, my hotel, the trains, and some restaurants I visited were hotter than outside.

I paid over $200 a night for a room that didn’t have AC, and I only have myself to blame for not doing the research. My reaction to the heat shocked me because I’m a West African born in the US, who grew up in the South. I know real heat, but this France heat still caught me off guard.

I learned a little too late that most buildings in France don’t have air conditioning. After I selected my hotel from a list provided by the Paris 2024 organizers, one of my colleagues found other nearby accommodations that were more modern, cost less, and did have air conditioning — but we had already committed and paid for everything.

I relied too much on the hotel options provided to me and should’ve found my own accommodations sooner.

2. The rats weren’t afraid, which made me afraid
There weren’t as many free shuttles as in Tokyo, but the Paris Metro cards came in handy.

Courtesy of Manseen Logan

I spent $60 as soon as I landed in France. That was my first shock. I was not informed about any media shuttle from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport to my hotel in Montmartre — about 25 to 30 km, or 17 miles, away. One of my colleagues flew in with bags and camera equipment and had to haul everything to her hotel using the train.

In Tokyo, we had free shuttles to transport guests from the airport to media-appointed hotels. In Paris, I was given a 30-day free Metro card and directed to the taxi area.

I could’ve taken a free one-hour commute on the train and subway, but since I had too many bags, I opted to pay for a 30 to 40-minute taxi ride.

Tokyo had shuttles that ran to every venue we visited. Paris, on the other hand, had limited buses. No shuttles operated between the media press center and one of the basketball venues located in Lille, France — two hours from my hotel.

4. The visa process was heartbreaking
It’s a nice water bottle, but I expected more.

Courtesy Manseen Logan

Tokyo spoiled me. When it hosted the 2020 Games, it gave the press lots of functional and meaningful swag.

Maybe, back then, the city had to give away all of the merchandise it produced before the pandemic. The Tokyo media center gave away Tokyo 2020 book bags, towels, note pads, pens, stadium cushions, and more. The organizers even had students from local schools present gifts to different delegations.

Based on the generosity of Tokyo, I created a little extra room in my suitcase for Paris swag. All we got was a Coca-Cola water bottle. I’m still grateful because something is better than nothing, but I wasn’t impressed.

I would’ve loved something that represented Paris or the French culture.

6. The water was too hard and caused my skin to blister
Each morning hotel staff hung breakfast on the door handle.

Courtesy of Manseen Logan

Every morning, hotel staff hung a bag with a hard baguette, a soft croissant, and an occasional fruit — a banana or an apple.

This was not the Parisian hotel breakfast I was expecting. Where were the crepes? The eggs? Again, I should’ve done my research. I couldn’t keep up with all the carbs and politely asked the hotel staff not to deliver breakfast after the first week.

Despite these inconveniences, the Olympics was an experience to remember
Standing in front of the Eiffel Tower after the Opening Ceremony.

Courtesy of Manseen Logan

It’s easy to dwell on everything that went wrong, but many great moments were sprinkled between the chaos.

For starters, the city of L’Île Saint-Denis hosted Station Afrique, a venue celebrating African music, fashion, food, and culture. All of the concerts I attended there were amazing. It was a great precursor to the 2026 Youth Olympics, which will take place in Dakar, Senegal — the first Olympic event to ever be held on the African continent.

Additionally, the indescribable energy of being in the stadium while these athletes break records and make history cannot be replicated on a TV screen. I appreciated having access to these spaces and meeting the foreign Olympic volunteers who sacrificed their time and money to make these Games happen.

Lastly, most of the food was good. Whether the AC worked or not, every restaurant I visited was worth the sweat. I met many great people, which made the experience worth it.

If you volunteered or worked at the Paris 2024 Olympics and would like to tell your story, email Manseen Logan at mlogan@businessinsider.com.