High energy, high rapids: What The Oklahoman's Sarah Phipps did on assignment at 2024 Paris Olympics

Oklahoman photographer Sarah Phipps was one of several USA TODAY Network photographers assigned to cover the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

While at the games, she photographed multiple events, including one that will be held in Oklahoma City: the canoe slalom.

Four years from now, OKC will host the canoe slalom and softball events during the 2028 Summer Olympics, which are officially hosted by Los Angeles. Oklahoma City will be a satellite host, similar to how surfing was held in Tahiti during this year's games.

"There are a lot of historic buildings in Paris, and on every street, there is a building to look at," Phipps said.

"The crowd was full of energy. It is a very fast-paced sport," she said.

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While her coverage of the events didn't leave much time to explore either the city or countryside, Phipps managed to capture some images of the City of Light. During her first 10 days in France, she was about an hour's train ride outside of Paris at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.

Overall, Phipps said she was impressed by the historic structures across the city.

Back in Oklahoma, Phipps often covers local sporting events. How is the Olympics different? For one, the scale of the Olympic Games is nothing like what someone might experience in Oklahoma City.

"To get to a venue, there is a lot of walking, trains and stairs," she said. "I averaged 20,000 steps a day and 10 flights of stairs a day."

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When the Olympics comes to Oklahoma in four years, Phipps said she thinks locals will enjoy the whitewater events.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: High energy, high rapids: What The Oklahoman's Sarah Phipps did on assignment at 2024 Paris Olympics