If you've tuned in to the Paris Olympics, the infectious energy throughout the crowds at each event can be felt through the broadcast. Basketball games have been no exception.
As French fans cheered their men's and women's basketball teams to the gold medal game, fans from across the globe have been united by a musical tradition that in many ways has become the anthem of Olympic competition.
"Freed From Desire," a 1996 Eurodance song by Italian artist Gala, has become a go-to song in the sports world over the past decade. After it was played at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games, it has been a mainstay at Pierre Mauroy Stadium and Bercy Arena during the basketball tournament.
The repetitive nature of the song's chorus has made it the perfect sports chant for large crowds. Team USA head coach Steve Kerr and the Serbian men's national team have even noticed.
Here is everything you need to know about the song that has taken over as the singalong favorite of the Olympic basketball tournament in Paris.
MORE: Why France basketball fans yell "Allez Les Bleus" at sporting events
France's 'Freed From Desire' tradition, explained
After its 1996 release, "Freed From Desire" quickly became a hit in Europe, peaking at No. 1 on charts in Belgium and France. The song's popularity in that region of Europe underlies its usage during the 2024 Olympic games.
Nearly 30 years later, the song is certified Diamond in France.
It first gained popularity as a sports chant in 2011 and gained popularity over the next several years, with different European clubs adopting the song as a chant to celebrate individuals, goals and wins.
The song took on new life at the FIFA Men's World Cup in 2022 and the Women's World Cup in 2023, with various nations adopting the song as their goal song.
Gala has expressed her support for the usage of the song as a sports anthem:
Music and sport both gather people of different backgrounds together – a rich guy and a poor guy, they both love the same song, they both cheer for the same football team. It really brings people together from different backgrounds and countries.
After it was used throughout the men's and women's World Cups, it has stuck on as the anthem during basketball at the Paris Olympics.
"They kept playing that European anthem that I can't get out of my head," Kerr said of the song after Team USA's semifinal win over Serbia. "Everyone was bouncing around. I took my phone out and videoed the crowd because it was so special just to see the energy and enthusiasm."
After Serbia's win over Germany in the bronze medal game, the team's natural reaction was to create their version of the song during their bus ride.
Kari 's ON FIRE 🔥🔥🔥#TeamSerbia ❤️💙🤍 #Paris2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/faG4mwm7ci
— Košarkaški savez SRB (@KSSrbije) August 10, 2024
Gala 'Freed From Desire' song and lyrics
[Verse]
My love has got no money, he's got his strong beliefs
My love has got no power, he's got his strong beliefs
My love has got no fame, he's got his strong beliefs
My love has got no money, he's got his strong beliefs
[Pre-Chorus]
Want more and more, people just want more and more
Freedom and love, what he's looking for
Want more and more, people just want more and more
Freedom and love, what he's looking for
[Chorus]
Freed from desire, mind and senses purified
Freed from desire, mind and senses purified
Freed from desire, mind and senses purified
Freed from desire
[Post-Chorus]
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na
[Verse]
My love has got no money, he's got his strong beliefs
My love has got no power, he's got his strong beliefs
My love has got no fame, he's got his strong beliefs
My love has got no money, he's got his strong beliefs
[Pre-Chorus]
Want more and more, people just want more and more
Freedom and love, what he's looking for
Want more and more, people just want more and more
Freedom and love, what he's looking for
[Chorus]
Freed from desire, mind and senses purified
Freed from desire, mind and senses purified
Freed from desire, mind and senses purified
Freed from desire
[Post-Chorus]
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na
[Outro]
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na
