Thierry Henry believes France's journey to the Olympics final has been a success, whether they finish with a gold or silver medal against Spain in Paris.
Henry has led France to a first final at the Games since their win against Brazil in 1984, a time when he was preparing for his first senior season with Monaco's reserves.
Les Bleus entered the competition with one of the strongest teams on paper, but Henry faced a difficult task in assembling his squad.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Bradley Barcola and Warren Zaire-Emery were refused permission to compete in the Games by their clubs.
However, Henry was quick to praise his group of players that have taken part in the tournament, saying his dream has already come true.
"This event is special because (in our sport) you don't think about finishing second or third, or winning a medal," Henry said.
"So our story is a success - let's make it better.
While Henry has the opportunity to add an Olympic medal to his World Cup and European Championship successes as a player, he was keen to look at the bigger picture.
"Did I ever think I would be part of an Olympic team? Never. I'll tell you why it's different for me," Henry said.
"I was never with my family watching me performing. When I say performing, you understand what I mean, obviously I'm not performing on the field anymore.
"But I never had my kids at a stadium looking at me with my team, being an 'actor', because when I had my kids I was almost at the end of my career.
"Maybe that's what was missing."
Caribbean sailors miss out on medals in Men’s and Women’s dinghy competitions in Paris
Caribbean sailors Luc Chevrier of St. Lucia, Just van Aanholt of Aruba, and Thad Lettsome of the British Virgin Islands gave it their all but, unfortunately, fell short of the medals as the men's dinghy sailing event finished with the medal race on Thursday at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Chevrier finished 29th in the competition, scoring 199 points and 163 net points while van Aanholt finished 33rd with 217 total points and 178 net points.
Lettsome finished 38th, with 255 total points and 215 net points.
Throughout the competition, these sailors displayed exceptional skill, determination, and sportsmanship, representing their countries with pride on the global stage.
In the women’s dinghy competition, Bermuda’s Adriana Penruddocke and the Cayman Islands’ Charlotte Webster gave strong efforts.
In race 9, Webster finished 37th, while Penruddocke finished 42nd. After the medal race, Penruddocke finished 36th overall with 270 total points and 226 net points while Webster finished 41st with 349 total points and 306 net points.
These women put out a valiant effort, and while they did not get the opportunity at medalling, their performances were admirable, showcasing their athletic ability and passion for the sport.
Spain coach Denia out to cap glittering 2024 with Olympic gold
Santi Denia views Friday's Olympic gold medal match versus France as an opportunity for Spain to underline their status as European football's finest.
La Roja have enjoyed a terrific 2024 to date, with the country's senior and under-19 sides both claiming European Championship titles last month.
Those successes came on the heels of Luis de la Fuente leading the senior team to UEFA Nations League success in 2023, and his men overcame heavyweights Croatia, Italy, Germany, France and England on their impressive run to Euro 2024 glory.
Olympic hosts France lie in wait in Friday's gold medal match at the Parc des Princes, where Denia is backing his team to bring more pride to their country.
"We are delighted that we are a benchmark in Europe and the world, it is a job that has been done for years," Denia said at Thursday's pre-match press conference.
"We have improved and continued to work, believing in a model of play and a profile of players that represent us.
"If we have been waiting for the gold medal for so many years, it is a challenge and an additional excitement."
Spain's only previous gold medal at the Olympics came on home soil at Barcelona 1992, when a team featuring the likes of Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique beat Poland 3-2 in a thrilling final.
Captain Abel Ruiz, who joined Girona in June, is keen to follow in the footsteps of that legendary side.
"We are motivated, we know that the gold is something very important for the country and for us," he said.
"It is something that could be historic and for which we have fought hard, we have been in the training camp for 40 days and it is a lot of effort. We are really looking forward to the final."
Team GB bronze medallist Spendolini-Sirieix hails "pioneer for diving" Daley
Tom Daley is a "pioneer for diving" who "brings the fun", so says his Team GB team-mate Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix.
Spendolini-Sirieix claimed bronze at the Paris Olympics in the women's synchronised 10m platform, alongside Lois Toulson.
It is the 19-year-old's first medal. She was Team GB's youngest diver at the Tokyo Games at just 16.
Daley also made an early Olympic debut, competing in Beijing in 2008 at 14 years old. Now 30, he added to an already stellar medal collection in Paris, winning silver in the men's synchronised 10m platform with Noah Williams.
And Spendolini-Sirieix is grateful for the influence Daley has had on both her and the sport.
"I really feel like Tom has been the pioneer for diving. He’s really put diving on the map," she said while speaking to Stats Perform at Adidas house.
Daley became the first British diver to win four Olympic medals when he took gold in the 10m synchro at Tokyo 2020 with partner Matty Lee, to add to his three bronze from previous Games.
“Tom has done so much for our sport and as a team-mate, he's been really, really supportive," added Spendolini-Sirieix.
"He makes us laugh with his terrible dad jokes. But he just brings the fun, he brings the excitement and he brings the energy."
Asked whether she thought Daley would compete in Los Angeles in 2028, Spendolini-Sirieix was unsure, but partner Toulson chipped in: "It wouldn't surprise me, knowing Tom."
Just as his personality away from the pool is infectious, Daley's success in it has also rubbed off on the rest of his team.
In Paris, Team GB have the second-best medal haul in diving, only second to China.
They made history by winning medals in all synchro events, with one silver and three bronze.
"Now I really do feel like we've all put diving on the map, and that's the power of sport, it's the power of the Olympics,” said Spendolini-Sirieix, who also finished sixth in the women's 10m platform.
"We can really broadcast the hard work that we've been putting on. And I really do hope that more people tune into diving and try diving, because it's really a beautiful and unique sport."
Spendolini-Sirieix argues that such a feat would not be possible without the support of those behind the scenes.
"We are the ones that are diving, but we really feel like everyone dives with us in our hearts and with us behind our backs. It takes a village to create an athlete," she said.
"Having our family here as well to celebrate with us is the best part. It’s honestly the most amazing feeling."
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