The Grand Folly of the Paris Olympics: A Transformative Vision

The Grand Folly of the Paris Olympics

There is a remarkable audacity to the upcoming Paris Olympics, marking the city’s first hosting since 1924. It feels as though France, with its enduring revolutionary spirit, has taken a century to dream up something extraordinary: the transformation of a magnificent city into a monumental stadium.

As the opening ceremony approaches this Friday, the heart of Paris has grown eerily quiet, bracing itself for a spectacular flotilla that will lead thousands of athletes down the Seine River. This iconic waterway, with its enchanting bridges that have long been a haven for lovers, will become a stage for celebration. Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the city has not experienced such a profound stillness or such stringent restrictions.

From the Pont d’Austerlitz in the east to the Pont Mirabeau in the west, roads have been cordoned off, and newly constructed stands for spectators line the riverbanks. Fences enclose sidewalks, and residents now require police-issued QR codes to access their homes. The golden cherubs, nymphs, and winged horses of the Pont Alexandre III gaze down upon the metal bleachers and throngs of police officers.

The Olympic project is a bold endeavor, not without its challenges, particularly in terms of security. Yet, one cannot help but reflect on the Eiffel Tower, which rose above Paris in 1889 despite the cacophony of dissenting voices. As it was erected for the Paris World Fair, the writer Guy de Maupassant famously labeled the tower a “giant hideous skeleton,” claiming it had driven him out of the city.

Today, however, the story has changed dramatically. Between the tower’s first and second floors, five enormous Olympic rings—shimmering in blue, yellow, black, green, and red—now grace the structure. They illuminate the night sky over the Champ de Mars park, where the beach volleyball competition will unfold. Just a stone’s throw away, the Seine flows gracefully, rejuvenated at a staggering cost of around $1.5 billion, and is reportedly clean enough to host several Olympic events, including two 10-kilometer swims and the triathlon.

It’s remarkable to note that swimming in the Seine was banned 101 years ago. Yet, as the old adage goes, all things must come to an end. These Games, with an estimated price tag of about $4.75 billion, were envisioned to be transformative, leaving a lasting impact while being environmentally conscious. “We wanted a dash of revolution, something the French would look back at with pride,” said Tony Estanguet, the head of the Paris Olympics committee, during our conversation.