Changes in Venue and Facilities

Six years ago, Paris was chosen as the host city for the 2024 Olympic Games. As we approach the opening ceremony on July 26, the capital is eagerly preparing to welcome the world's largest sporting event. However, there have been significant changes and compromises between the initial bid proposal and the reality that athletes and spectators will face.

One of the notable changes involves the Olympic swimming pool. Originally planned to be held at the Olympic Aquatic Center in Saint-Denis, the swimming competitions will now take place in temporary pools. These pools were initially intended to be located near the Aquatic Center but have been moved to the Paris-La Défense Arena in the west of Paris. This decision was made to mitigate budget risks. After the Games, three new pools funded by the organizing committee will be donated to communities in Seine-Saint-Denis, where swimming facilities are lacking.

Transportation and Ticket Holders

In the initial bid proposal, ticket holders were promised free travel on the entire Île-de-France network on the day of the competition. However, due to financial constraints, Île-de-France Mobilités, the organization responsible for public transportation, is now considering implementing a specific pricing system for Olympic visitors. This means that the approximately 10 million spectators expected to attend the Games will have to pay for their transportation.

Changes in Media Location

Originally, all media outlets were supposed to be situated in the "Media Village" in Bourget, Seine-Saint-Denis. However, due to construction delays and event relocations, the main press center will now be in western Paris. The Bourget site will still accommodate technicians from Olympic Broadcasting Services. Unfortunately, the promised capacity of 4,000 rooms in the Media Village will not be fully realized, with only 700 rooms expected to be completed by the summer of 2024.

Abandoned Urban Development Plans

Plans to revamp the area between the Eiffel Tower and Trocadéro, known as "One," have been abandoned. The aim of this project was to create a pedestrian-friendly and green space. However, due to opposition from the prefecture and concerns about road closures, the project has been scrapped. As a result, the current versions of Trocadéro and the Eiffel Tower will be showcased during the opening ceremony and beach volleyball matches.

Ensuring Security for the Opening Ceremony

As the countdown to the Games continues, one major concern is the security of the opening ceremony, which will take place on the Seine. With delegations, paid spectators, and free spectators expected to gather along the river, ensuring security will be a significant challenge. However, the prefect of police in Paris, Laurent Nunez, has expressed confidence in the preparations and stated that he is "not at all worried" about the security measures that will be implemented. Collaboration between various authorities, including Paris 2024, the City of Paris, and the Ministry of Defense, will be crucial in ensuring the safety of all participants.

Words of the day

Aquatic : Aquatique

Media : Média