- An important turning point in the history of the city is being reached as Paris gets ready to host the Olympics in 2024.
- The grand opening ceremony and open-water swimming, subject to environmental permits, will take place in the Seine River.
- According to Emmanuel Macron, there is “no doubt” that the Olympics would be a target for the Kremlin.
An important turning point in the history of the city is being reached as Paris gets ready to host the Olympics in 2024. Just two new permanent sports venues were erected for the Games, but the 17-day spectacle will completely change the city.
President Emmanuel Macron opened a new aquatics center in a nearby town on April 4; an 8,000-seat arena will accommodate rhythmic gymnastics and badminton. The remaining events in the sport will be held in either temporary or existing venues. These will include beach volleyball, skateboarding, archery, and equestrian competitions.
Olympics in 2024
The grand opening ceremony and open-water swimming, subject to environmental permits, will take place in the Seine River. Nonetheless, security worries persist due to the planned mobilization of 45,000 French troops, the establishment of a no-fly zone, and the closure of a significant portion of central Paris to all but residents and vital personnel one week beforehand.
Given the recent rise of the Islamic State organization and the international unease brought on by Israel’s attack on Gaza, some security analysts consider these goals to be foolish. According to French authorities, Russia poses a threat through cyberattacks and disinformation.
According to French President Emmanuel Macron, there is “no doubt” that the Olympics would be a target for the Kremlin. The sport will be set against the breathtaking backdrop of the French capital’s famed architecture, but the people living there don’t seem ready for a celebration just yet.
Concerns over exorbitant ticket costs, the financial burden on taxpayers, potential strikes, and the proposed hike in tariffs on the aging Paris metro system during the Games have dominated media coverage.
A moment of national pride might be created if all goes according to plan, the organization is excellent, and French athletes win medals, but it would be “ephemeral,” much like the sport itself.
