1: 'Marchons, Marchand!'

If Paris luxuriated in the honor of hosting the Games, Toulouse took French bragging rights for the exploits of its athletes, with local rugby star Antoine Dupont securing Sevens gold and Leon Marchand dominating in the pool.

The 22-year-old, urged on by the rhythmic chorus of "Leon, Leon" at the Paris La Defense Arena, won five medals in total, four of them gold including a double in the space of two hours, which sent the crowd into paroxysms of "joie".

The downside of such instant celebrity? "I can't go out to restaurants like I used to anymore," he said when he got back to Toulouse. "I wear a cap and glasses. I try to hide a little."