From being in the crowd at the opening ceremonies and cheering on Team USA’s men’s basketball team when they won gold, to paparazzi-ing Mick Jagger, professor Talan made the most of his third Olympic experience. He shared some of his best travel hacks with SOC and hopes it inspires students to cheer on their country at the 2026 games in Italy or 2028 games in Los Angeles. 

Sarah: How did you get the opportunity to go to the Olympics?

Professor Talan: I've always loved the Olympics. A long time ago a student said they went to the 2006 Winter Olympics. I thought that was fascinating and decided to go to the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. That was sort of like China's coming out party. Then I went to the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver as that city is so beautiful. Two summers ago I was in Paris and walked past City Hall and saw the Olympic rings, and voila. I said “I'm going to go to the 2024 games.”

Sarah: What were your favorite events that you attended in Paris, and do you have any favorite highlights from those events?

Professor Talan: The Golden State Warriors are my favorite basketball team in the NBA and Steph Curry is my favorite player. So seeing him in the gold medal match versus France, and then win it with four straight 3-pointers including a crazy one over the top of Victor Wembanyama was truly unbelievable. Especially seeing how tall [Wembanyama] is and that the gold medal game was so close and the USA team could have lost!

Sarah: What aspects of your trip are you excited to share with your classes? 

Professor Talan: I try to focus on the items that are related to class. So, that would be the uses of media, branding, and PR. There are so many examples. It's a smorgasbord and you can simply pick and choose the ones that work the best. For each class on the very first day of the new semester I begin by showing the 2006 Torino Olympics intro film from NBC as it's incredible, with the vivid wording, the dramatic imagery, and a multitude of sounds.

Sarah: How do you think social media has changed how we consume the Olympics?

Professor Talan: As with most everything, social media has changed the Olympics too. Many people, especially younger viewers, can simply go on to TikTok or Instagram and see short little clips bits and bites as opposed to watching it over an evening. These short bits of content are like snacks. But if you have enough snacks it can almost equal a full meal. The important thing is that people care enough and are interested enough and engaged enough to view the Olympics. How, when, or where matters less.

Sarah: What teams or individual athletes do you think did the best job branding themselves or promoting themselves?

Professor Talan: It was an interesting media experience being away from the USA as I could not watch NBC's coverage since they don't have the media rights in France. French TV and news media really promoted their swimmer Leon Marchand. He emerged as a huge star from these Olympic Games in Paris. I also think the Swedish American pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis was amazing with his record breaking vaults and also his post victory partying. Simone Biles did an incredible job in terms of her performance, of course, but also by pushing back and explaining what happened to her at the last Olympics, and how she was able to return to the top of the gymnastics world.

Sarah: What's the story behind the picture you shared of Mick Jagger? 

Professor Talan: I was at the gold medal fencing match in the Grand Palais. The event had ended and I was trying to beat the crowd out. I always keep my eyes open, and sure enough, I look to my left and I see Mick Jagger. I had seen that he was at the games but I did not know he liked fencing. I'm a Rolling Stones fan, so of course I'm going to try and take a photo. His bodyguard wasn't too happy with it but I kept walking and snapping pics doing the best I could even though his bodyguard's hands were in the way a lot.

Sarah: Were there any significant images or symbols that stuck out to you from the Paris Olympics? Did you think France did a good job as the host?

Professor Talan: France gets an A+ for hosting. The creativity for the opening ceremonies for sure. But also the volunteers that were just so friendly and helpful. You had to apply to be a volunteer and the competition was pretty fierce. The mayor of Paris and the Olympic organizing committee must be applauded with kudos for doing such a good job in terms of holding an eco-minded Olympics and having events where athletes swam in the Seine (!) plus locating stands and venues in historic locations like the Eiffel Tower and Place de La Concorde. Seeing the Olympic rings in color on the side of the Eiffel Tower was just so stunning and memorable. I took many photos of it!

Sarah: What are your thoughts on Rae Gunn (the Australian breakdancer)? Are you a fan?

Professor Talan: A buddy of mine who was also at the games kept mentioning Rae Gunn but there was so much going on, I didn't pay much attention. After I returned to the US I read up about her and found out surprisingly she's a professor. I watched some of the performances and it's sort of both comical and inspirational. In a way, it does show how tough it is to be in the Olympic Games. That said, I don't really think breaking is an Olympic-worthy sport.

Sarah: What did you think of the opening and closing ceremonies? Which was better?

Professor Talan: The opening ceremonies were about as creative, historic and memorable as you could ever put together for the Olympics. The drizzle put a little bit of a damper on things but people still performed and the athletes kept waving while on their boats. There was a rumor all week that Tom Cruise was going to be at the closing ceremony and jump down into the stadium. So, when it happened, that was rather stunning, and I thought it was pretty cool. Especially when you consider the imagery of the biggest movie star in the world taking the Olympic flag – in person – and then being ‘carried’ by plane and more in pre-filmed video all the way to LA which ties the stunt to Hollywood and the 2028 games there. I've already started making plans to be in LA. Can’t wait. I may also go to the 2026 Winter Games in Italy. We’ll see…