Skateboarder Jagger Eaton Skipped the Opening Ceremony Because His Event Was the Next Day — Then It Got Postponed (Exclusive)

Eaton is set to try for his second Olympic medal in the men's street skateboarding competition

Jagger Eaton didn't get his big moment on the Seine for good reason — but now he's a little disappointed.

The skateboarder, who won bronze in men's street during the Tokyo Games, was set to compete on Saturday, July 27 — the day after the rainy Paris Games opening ceremony on Friday, July 26. Because of the closeness to his event, Eaton, 23, opted not to participate in the boat Parade of Nations.

The next day, however, rain led to men's street being postponed until Monday, July 29.

"I was very upset," Eaton tells PEOPLE during Ralph Lauren's Olympic welcome party in Paris at Ralph's Restaurant. "I mean, I'm not going to lie, I almost shed a tear watching all of those athletes get dressed and go there."

Says Eaton, "The opening ceremony is something that's so special and if you get to experience it more than once, it's a privilege. I'm grateful that I got to experience it in Tokyo, but it was really a bummer missing it here."

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Eaton has been working with Ralph Lauren for some time now, so he has had a chance to try on this year's opening ceremony ensemble — which featured a navy blue blazer, a striped button-down and jeans.

"I've gotten to feel what it's like to be in the uniforms," says Eaton. "I did not get dressed up with all the athletes at the time. I was a little angry. I had to let my emotions go and then get a good night's rest thinking I was going to compete the next day."

Eaton has, however, been enjoying life in the Olympic Village, calling it "always something special."

Related: Olympic Skateboarders Skate Through Streets of Paris to Get to Practice After Bus Incident Leaves Them Stranded

"There's tons of people, everybody's riding bikes and everybody's friendly and kind, and it is so really special," the athlete tells PEOPLE.

And after he's completed his event, Eaton plans to spend some time in the City of Light. "I'm going to stay here for about an extra four or five days, do some media and hang out, hopefully go shopping and whatnot," he teases. "I'm definitely going to have some fun."

He adds, "Again, it's been so long since I've been able to say that the Olympic Games are almost over. I thought at this point in time I'd be fulfilled, but I'm not. This journey has changed my life forever. It did in Tokyo, and hopefully it will again on Monday. And yeah, I honestly get a little pit in my stomach thing."

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