I attended 5 Olympic events as a regular fan. Here's what surprised me the most.

Agnes Groonwald

• I've attended five events at the 2024 Summer Olympics, from qualifiers to medal rounds.
• I usually watch the Games on TV, so attending the events in person came with lots of surprises.
• I was shocked by how easy it was to attend the Olympics and how electric the crowds were.

During the Olympics, I typically find myself cheering on the athletes from the comfort of my couch. I had always assumed...