Paris is undergoing a significant transformation, marked by the construction of new buildings, stadiums, and metro lines. The city is working tirelessly to present itself and its surroundings as more than just a hub of fashion and romance. The goal is to showcase a city that is not only welcoming but also athletic.
Valerie Pecresse, the President of the Paris Region, emphasises the global audience of 3 billion people expected to witness the Summer Olympics games, including the opening ceremony on the sand and the Paralympic events. The intention is to spotlight various aspects of Paris beyond the iconic Eiffel Tower, revealing the multifaceted nature of the city.
The games are scheduled to take place at more than 10 iconic venues, ranging from beach volleyball under the Eiffel Tower to aquatic events at the newly-constructed Paris Aquatic Centre, athletics at the Stade De France, equestrian competitions at the Palais De Versailles, and sailing at the Port of Marseille. A notable aspect is that 80% of the venues are existing facilities that have been revamped with sustainability as a core principle.
All venues will be drawing 100 percent power from renewable sources like wind and solar. This means cutting down on 13,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. Further, biofuel generators will be used as backup for uninterrupted power supply. The city is also opening new metro lines, Pecresse added, those lines will be completed ahead of the Olympics and that everything will be on time. “...Everything is on time. So, I'm very confident that we'll be completely ready. It's a huge challenge, because it's the first game which is fully accessible by public transport. There is no sign of anything being delayed.”
Pecresse highlights the commitment to decarbonizing transportation, ensuring that the Olympics will be accessible via 100% public transportation. Additionally, innovative measures such as 1,000 hydrogen cabs and experimental electric vertical flying taxis (eVTOL) are planned. Although the work is described as frenetic, officials assure that it is proceeding according to schedule, despite the substantial financial investment.
Valerie Pecresse outlines the financial commitment of the region, estimating the cost of the games at 600 million euros. However, when factoring in contributions from the International Olympic Committee and the state, the overall expenditure is expected to reach 4 billion euros.
While acknowledging the potential for the final costs to surpass initial estimates, France remains optimistic about the long-term returns on these investments. A study by the University of Limoges forecasts that the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will generate substantial economic benefits, totalling 10.7 billion euros, and create over 2,50,000 jobs in and around Paris.
First Published: Jan 16, 2024 12:23 AM IST
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