On March 24, 2024, thousands of people went to Paris to watch an interesting activity, cafe waiters' race(服务员竞赛). It started in 1914. Waiters need to walk two kilometres while carrying a tray(托盘)with a glass of water, a coffee cup and a piece of bread.
Two hundred waiters started and ended the trip at City Hall, wearing white shirts, black trousers and aprons(围裙). To win the race, they needed to be quick and careful. They must cross the finishing line as quickly as possible, without running, spilling( 洒 出 )water or carrying the tray with two hands at the same time.
It's really hard but fun to win the race. Men's winner Samy Lamrous finished in 13 minutes and 30 seconds, while women's winner Pauline Van Wymeersch finished in 14 minutes and 12 seconds. Both winners would get a night's stay in a great hotel and tickets to the Olympic opening ceremony(奥运会开幕式).
34-year-old Pauline Van Wymeersch worked as a waitress from 16 years old. "I love the job as much as I hate it, "she said. Because of it, she lost many weekends and holidays, but she also learnt something useful and met lots of interesting people.
The race is a way to welcome the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The big event will bring big business for the restaurants and hotels in Paris.
