![Zurich triathlete Julien Derron presents her silver medal on arrival at Basel station](https://production-livingdocs-bluewin-ch.imgix.net/2024/08/07/2e7aa19f-85aa-4cdc-afaf-acaf0d5a1773.jpeg?w=994&auto=format)
How do you protect medals from scratches? Julie Derron has her own version. That and more in the splinters from the 13th Olympic Day.
Medals protected from scratches in socks
Julie Derron arrived in Basel shortly after midday on Wednesday. After the return journey on the TGV, the triathlete proudly presented her silver medal. She had transported it home in a box provided. In Paris, however, the 27-year-old from Zurich initially had to resort to a different storage method: The good old socks ensured that the valuable item didn't get scratched. "Every time I open the box, I think: 'Wow, it's so beautiful, it's mine, it's mine now'. It's a special feeling," said Derron, who now has to find a suitable place for her Olympic medal at home.
Brunner impresses with her "soccer skills"
Nina Brunner's foot defense in the quarter-final against the Americans Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng caused a sensation. The German Eurosport commentator could hardly believe it: "No, no, no! What a ball," he said after the action, which ended with a point for the Swiss. "This is the game of the tournament!" SRF commentator Sascha Ruefer was also impressed by the "footballer" Brunner and added: "The transfer window for the Super League clubs is still open."
Switzerland or Sweden - the old song
Americans, who are often poorly educated and have little interest in the world, are used to this: Switzerland is repeatedly confused with Sweden. The fact that this even happens in neighboring France is rather surprising. Before Esmée Böbner and Zoé Vergé-Dépré's beach volleyball quarter-final against Mariafe Artacho/Taliqua Clancy, the (English-speaking) court announcer wanted to find out which fans were louder - and first asked the Australians to make noise, then the.... Sweden. The other, French-speaking animator must have noticed the blunder. He immediately followed up with the same little game, but correctly addressed the Swiss supporters.
Positively surprised by the Métro
Visitors to the Olympics are delighted, but for the people of Paris it's a minor miracle: the metro system, which is often overcrowded and plagued by breakdowns on a daily basis, can withstand the onslaught of millions of Olympic fans. 94 percent of Olympic visitors and other commuters gave the local transport system good marks, according to a survey commissioned by the state railroad SNCF. In the run-up to the Games, the Métro had been seen as a problem child; a traffic collapse was feared. In a large-scale campaign, Parisians were therefore encouraged to work from home or to get to work on foot or by bike.
SDA