Letter from Paris: There's a whole Olympic world unexplored beyond Ireland's medallists

This is another thing about the Olympics. You can watch as much coverage as is humanly possible across the two weeks or so and never come across some of the biggest, most integral chapters.

Italy's Martina Criscio (left) and Algeria's Saoussen Boudiaf during the Fencing - Women's Sabre Team at the Grand Palais. Picture: John Walton/PA Wire.

Team Ireland’s roll call of medals hasn’t left much time to venture out into the wider world of these Games. That’s the Olympics, it draws us in from near and far and, while we share metros and breakfast buffets, it's all too easy to get stuck in your own lane.

The access-all-venues media pass is a ridiculous luxury in that respect.