Yes, I understand that they have a privileged life in comparison to their other comrades in the capitol, and those further out…yes I’ve read Nothing To Envy, I know they are stupid but kept ignorant. How do you go to a place like Paris, and see all this infrastructure, the ceremony, other races, homosexuals, then go home, surrender your medal to the Leader (or some party official) and keep your mouth shut about everything you saw.
If you’re a big believer going to the games has to be a LARGE test of your faith in Juche, even if you have cardboard beds in the athlete dorms.
Anyone that have been to Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen etc. knows that they in many way have more modern infrastructure compared to Paris.
Also at least Shanghai and Shenzhen are very international in their population, because they are trading hubs.
Even if they went to Dalian or Shenyang, that are closer to NK, they are still very modern cities with a population similar to Paris, so it wouldn’t be that spectacular and even less so, since they do not grow up knowing about European history or the Eiffel tower etc.