PARIS, France (AFP)— French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that the Olympic Games showed the world “the true face of France” as he praised the “success” of Paris 2024.

“We don’t want life to get back to normal,” Macron said at a reception at the Elysee Palace.

Many in France say that the success of the Olympic Games has surpassed expectations, with the Games lifting what was a morose mood in France amid political crisis.

Macron on Monday said many had the feeling that during the Games even “the air was lighter.”

France is bidding a reluctant farewell to a fortnight of the sporting extravaganza with most athletes, fans, and media praising the Olympic Games.

Macron thanked all those who helped make the Olympics a success, saying that members of law enforcement had kept athletes and spectators safe.

“Hundreds of acts were prevented,” said the French president.

There were incidents over the last fortnight including an attack on the French railways but nothing that marred the event overall, to the relief of organisers.

In the next weeks French people will have to face the reality of deadlocked politics created by Macron’s calling of snap legislative elections.

The government of Macron allies, under Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, has carried on in a caretaker capacity throughout the Games, but five weeks after the elections, the country still does not have a new prime minister.