Paris 2024: The Most Sustainable Olympic Games in History

The Most Sustainable Olympic Games: Paris 2024

This week, the world will eagerly watch the unfolding of what is being heralded as the most sustainable Olympic Games in history. The organizers of the Paris Games are diligently working towards this ambitious goal, largely by opting to refurbish existing structures rather than constructing new facilities from scratch.

Remarkably, over 90 percent of the venues designated for the Paris Games are either temporary or have been previously established. However, many of these buildings are historic, with some having been utilized during the 1924 Olympics, necessitating significant upgrades to meet modern standards.

For many years, the International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.) has faced criticism and backlash due to images showcasing Olympic venues falling into disrepair shortly after the conclusion of the Games. The exorbitant costs associated with hosting the Olympics, coupled with the remnants of underutilized facilities, have deterred potential host cities from bidding. Looking ahead, the I.O.C. is optimistic that its focus on creating more sustainable Olympic venues will attract new bidders.

Upcoming events, such as the Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy in 2026, and the Summer Games in Los Angeles in 2028, are also set to utilize existing infrastructure, as noted by Marie Sallois, the I.O.C.’s director of sustainability.

Graham Gilmore, who became the chief executive of the London Stadium in 2015, is keen on reducing the stadium’s operating losses each year, although he does not have a specific timeline for achieving profitability.

Prior to the Paris Games, London set a precedent during the 2012 Olympics, demonstrating that host cities could avoid the pitfalls of vacant venues long after the festivities. The Olympic Park was established on hundreds of acres of land in a previously industrial area of East London, where extensive cleanup efforts were undertaken. Enhancements to public transportation were also implemented, and almost all Olympic buildings were either disassembled or refurbished post-Games. The athletes’ village was transformed into private housing, office complexes were developed on former sports venue sites, and the stadium, aquatics center, and velodrome underwent significant renovations to serve the public.