But now the Games are really over, aren’t they?

Yes, they are, and that’s why they sell off their remaining stock. Wait, what? Yes, a series of “braderies” in various towns is scheduled between mid-September and mid-October to sell parts of the volunteer or torch relay uniforms, the purple athlete towels, national flags from the various Games sites, drinking cups.

My husband joins the queue at Paris City Hall Square at 7am. When I join him around 11:30, the braderie still hasn’t opened but nearby pink direction signs were distributed for free. An Austrian couple behind us got one; I wonder what they’ll do with it.

By the time we finally get in at 4pm, the ridiculous volunteer hats are sold out, but we get what I’m here for: volunteer socks marked “Paris 2024” but above all, the purple towel. I’ve seen dozens of them handed to the swimmers exiting the pool, to the triathletes crossing the finishing line, to tennis players on the side lines. These are the official Paris 2024 towels! We also get a set of Games cups, some to keep, some to give away.

Now the Games are really, really over.