Paris 2024 Olympics: Balancing Legacy and Social Challenges

Paris 2024: A Unique Olympic Experience

This edition of the Olympics boasts a remarkable feature: a significant portion of the competitions will occur in the heart of the city, right by Paris’ most renowned landmarks. With an impressive 95% of the infrastructure being either pre-existing or temporary, the overall expenditure is estimated to be around nine billion euros. Paris 2024 is set to be the most economical Games in decades.

The Municipality of Paris is optimistic that the event will leave a lasting legacy. Pierre Rabadan, the deputy mayor responsible for sports, reflects on the rapid progress made, stating, “We have managed to finalize projects that might have taken 10 or 15 years to complete, achieving them in just four or five years. It has allowed us to revitalize entire neighborhoods.”

Significant Investments in Northern Paris

The Olympic Village stands as the largest permanent structure constructed in Seine Saint Denis, the most economically disadvantaged district in mainland France. This area is envisioned as a state-of-the-art eco-district with a promising future. Post-Games, it will evolve into a new neighborhood accommodating 6,000 residents, although the high average price of 7,000 euros per square meter has hindered apartment sales.

Serge Reitchess, a former sports teacher and a community activist, emphasizes the disparity in sports facilities, stating, “We have sixteen facilities for every 10,000 inhabitants, whereas the Greater Paris region averages 25, and the national average is 50.”

New Infrastructure, Persistent Challenges

The region is set to host key Olympic venues, including a renovated Stade de France and a newly constructed 175-million-euro Aquatics Centre. Yet, access to sports for local residents remains a luxury. Reitchess notes, “Most sports facilities in Seine-Saint-Denis are between 40 and 50 years old.”

Despite the Olympics unlocking over one billion euros for the district, locals express frustration over the limited investment in community sports facilities. Renovations are few and not equitably distributed, prompting calls for a public investment plan that has been sought after for years. Many residents feel their needs have been overlooked, as articulated by Alix Rivière, spokesperson for the FCP 93 Parents Federation. She highlights that, on average, schoolchildren lose an hour commuting to their designated gym for sports classes. “It’s as if they were telling us that the English or French room is 20 minutes away from the school. A gym is essentially a classroom,” she argues.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Although the Olympics promote an image of being “wide open” and “inclusive,” a collective known as “The Other Side of the Medal” accuses the organizers of executing a “year of social cleansing” in preparation for the Games. This group comprises nearly 100 associations and NGOs, claiming that over 12,500 individuals have been evicted in the past year—a nearly 40% increase compared to 2021-2022.

Charities have reported that individuals are being removed from public spaces without being offered permanent accommodation solutions. Mathieu Pastor, representing the 20ème Solidaire residents’ collective, criticizes the situation, stating, “For months now, the Prefecture, in collaboration with City Hall, has aimed to evict everyone they wish to hide from view during the Olympics.”

In early June, approximately 200 unaccompanied migrant minors were removed from the cultural center “Maison des Métallos,” where they had been residing for three months. They were relocated to a municipal gym in Paris, marking yet another instance of social cleansing attributed to the Olympic Games, according to charity representatives.

Elusive Long-Term Solutions

The Municipality of Paris has expressed a desire to establish long-term solutions for the homeless population, independent of the Olympic events. “The City is involved by making certain venues available. However, once premises are secured, we need to ensure they are managed appropriately, which requires investment,” Rabadan explains.

When questioned about the lack of foresight in planning, Rabadan remarked, “It’s not our responsibility. The state must allocate the necessary resources to utilize these locations and accommodate those in need.” As the world watches, the question remains: will France set a precedent for future Olympic Games? All medals will be awarded before this pressing issue is resolved, as the spotlight shifts to athletes while the Olympic machinery gears up for Los Angeles 2028.