De-Graft's Paris 2024 diary: So surreal as Simone Biles joins our pin club

Bonjour and welcome to Paris! I’ve swapped the Newsround studio for the biggest stage for international sports in the world… the Olympic Games.

I’ve been here for a few days now and the atmosphere is slowly building but it is also a little strange.

There are a lot of gates guarded by police as the city prepares for Friday’s opening ceremony which means there is a lot I can’t actually see because security is tight.

However, I got to visit some of France’s most iconic landmarks.

I got to spend some time at the Eiffel Tower and also went to see the world famous Notre Dame Cathedral - which is undergoing restoration after being devastated by a fire in 2019.

I’ve even tried some French delicacies like escargot - better known, as snails.

Yup, snails.

I've been able to see lots of the famous sights in Paris including Notre Dame Cathedral - but I couldn't spot Quasimodo

As we get ready for the action of the Games that is due to begin, I need you guys to remember one word.

Pins.

There is a tradition at the Olympic Games where fans and athletes will trade little pins that represent where they come from.

I have seen them on pretty much every lanyard of every single athlete that has walked past.

Here's the Newsround pin ... I'll be swapping these with athletes throughout the Games

So I thought I’d get involved in the action. I have a limited supply of eco-friendly Newsround pins!

They are made out of bamboo and have the design of the Eiffel Tower etched into them and the words BBC Newsround.

My mission while I’m out here is to get as many of them on fans and major athletes as I can and so far, it’s come with a little bit of rejection.

And here's me at the real Eiffel Tower

Kevin Durant and Steph Curry of USA basketball fame walked past me to get to a press conference. I tried to give Kevin (known as a KD) a pin but with all the paparazzi around him, I was unsuccessful.

However, shortly after I ran into USA skateboarder Nijah Huston and managed to give him a pin but he didn’t have any to trade back.

I met up with Team GB diving star Andrea Spendolini-Siriex and her famous dad Fred. And yes, they've now got a Newsround pin!

But then, my luck turned.

I met with Andrea Spendolini-Siriex, Team GB diver who is just 19.

I gave her a Newsround pin and she traded with me and gave me a Team GB pin!

Just when I thought the day was done, I ran into someone who is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time.

Team USA gymnast, Simone Biles.

I was a little nervous to give her a pin because she literally is the GOAT.

However, despite all her star power and impressive sporting skill, she was nothing but absolutely lovely and accepted the Newsround pin.

Unfortunately she didn’t have one to trade back but I’m hoping I run into her again soon…

Catch up with you guys in a bit.