This year, Paris will host the summer Olympics. The games run from 26th July until 11th August and 10,500 athletes from all over the world will be competing in 329 events. The Paralympics take place soon after from 28th August – 8th September with 4,400 athletes competing in 549 events.
With 206 countries sending their best athletes to Paris, there will naturally be millions of keen tourists descending on France’s capital. This brings both benefits and problems to many Parisians: local businesses, particularly those in the hospitality industry, are hoping to do well but commuters to the capital fear their journey will take much longer during the two weeks of the games.
France hosts the Olympic Games in the capital, Paris, this summer
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How was Paris appointed host?
Paris was awarded the role of host city for the 2024 Games in 2017. The International Olympic Committee had narrowed it down to only Paris and Los Angeles and Paris took the top spot. Los Angeles will play host in 2028. This is the third time Paris has hosted the Summer Olympics: the previous years were 1900 and 1924, so it is about time!
Paris therefore will be marking the centenary of Paris 1924 and also Chamonix 1924 where the Winter Olympics were held. Thus these will be the 6th Olympic Games hosted in France.
Many boats are expected to trail along the Seine in the Opening Ceremony
How has Paris prepared for the Games?
The preparations for the 2024 Olympics have been going on for over a year; this is a huge event which involves thousands of individuals to prepare for the Games. Security of course is the number one issue. France agreed with Europol and the UK Home Office to step up security and promote international law enforcement throughout the games. The British Army will be managing surface-to-air missile units for air security. The police have been rehearsing their inspection process much as they did during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
We live in a somewhat uncertain and insecure world of course, and Paris is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to security. Concerns remain regarding the opening ceremony which is due to take place along the River Seine. Free viewing locations are now going to be available only by invitation.
Several volunteers will be recruited during the Olympic Games and this time there are likely to be around 45,000 chosen from over 300,000 applications submitted to the Paris Organising Committee. The volunteers are vetted internally and the successful ones were told of the result of their application in the autumn of last year.
It’s to be “the most spectacular and accessible opening ceremony in Olympic history”
The famous Olympic torch relay began, as always, in Olympia in Greece 100 days before the start of the games. There are close to 10,000 torchbearers involved until it arrives in Paris ahead of the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony begins at 19:30 (CEST) on Friday 26th July and the current plans are for this to take place outside a traditional stadium setting, unlike previous ceremonies. There will be a parade of nations from boats along the Seine from Pont d’Austerlitz to Pont d’Iena with the official opening to take place at the Place du Trocadero.
The promotion of the ceremony promises “the most spectacular and accessible opening ceremony in Olympic history”. Numbers will be huge and 600,000 spectators are expected to descend on the French capital.
Where will the various events take place?
Events will be held in Seine-Saint-Denis, where the Olympic and Paralympic Village are based. Seine-Saint-Denis is known as one of the poorest parts of the city.
The majority of the events will take place in Paris and the surrounding metropolitan area including Saint-Denis, Le Bourget, Nanterre, Versailles, and Vaires-sur-Marne. However, water-based events as well as some football games will be held in Marseille, in the South of France, and surfing events even further away in the overseas territory of French Polynesia. Some of the football will also be in other cities such as Bordeaux, Nantes, Lyon and Nice.
Although it is a real coup for France to be hosting these games, not everyone is so keen as the whole city will become swollen with visitors and some Parisians think that prices in the bars and restaurants will suddenly rise. There will also be increased traffic, some diversions and extra security checks in public places and car parks. It is thought fares for buses, trams and the metro will suddenly increase too.
Image: Fly Of Swallow Studio via Shutterstock_2369937993
The emblem
You may well already recognise the official emblem for the 2024 Olympics. It was unveiled on October 21st 2019 and inspired by the Art Deco movement. It represents “Marianne”, the national personification of France with a flame fashioned by her bobbed hair. It is also said to resemble a gold medal and is meant to symbolise the magic and majesty of the Olympic Games.
Although there are plenty of security and environmental concerns around the Olympic Games, it will be much busier than a normal summer in Paris. However, there remains a feeling of unity and community surrounding the Games. Many French residents living outside the capital believe the Games will boost the country’s economy. According to some Parisian friends, the city is already taking on a real “spruced up” look as there is something of a blitz on cleaning up some of the buildings, parks, gardens and, of course, the river.
The arrangements surrounding these games are huge and will be monitored with almost military-like precision. Let us hope it is a joyous summer in Paris! À bientôt!
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