Paris 2024: A Dazzling Dance Towards Olympic Glory

The Olympic flame flickers, casting anticipation on the cobblestones of Paris. In mere months, the world descends upon the capital of France, not for croissants and cafes, but for the Olympic dream. While whispers of ‘greatest Games ever’ might seem bold, the 2024 event holds the potential to be truly transformative. The 33rd edition of the Summer Olympic Games is scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024. It will be shortly followed by the Paralympic Games from August 28 to September 6. The Games mark the third occasion on which Paris has served as the Olympic host – they previously hosted in 1900, and 1924.

Photo by Alex Smith on Unsplash

Attending the Event

With millions of visitors expected, hotels, restaurants, shops, and transportation services will experience a surge in revenue. Euromonitor International estimates a €4 billion rise in tourism spending, a significant boost for Paris’s post-pandemic recovery. This is why securing a place to stay can be a challenge. Hotels will fill up fast and it’s important to consider alternative options like apartments, hostels, or even renting a charming Parisian pied-à-terre. During this high-demand period, online travel platforms can be your heroes. With Paris expecting such a large number of visitors from all over the world, it’s important to look at the best possible options. Luckily, tech advancements have enabled travel agencies to offer convenient and cost-effective solutions that can help during the planning and booking stages. Finding flight and hotel deals for Paris with eDreams, for example, is a relatively easy process. The agency can pick and choose amongst a wide range of flight paths covered by various airlines including Air France, American Airlines, and Iberia. In addition, they’re able to propose places to stay depending on factors such as budget, ideal location, and the number of guests.

Ultimately, there are plenty of ways to make a dream Olympics trip in Paris a reality.

Impact on the City

The Games are already generating massive buzz, especially with the potential participation of some of the world’s biggest sports stars like Lionel Messi and LeBron James. While their attendance isn’t yet confirmed, let’s imagine the electrifying atmosphere they could create and the impact it would have on the city. The inclusion of superstar athletes combined with the City of Lights’ undeniable charm is expected to draw record-breaking tourist numbers to Paris in 2024. Estimates suggest that the Olympics will bring in an additional 3 million visitors, when compared to a typical summer, with figures potentially reaching 15 million spectators. This would surpass the London 2012 Olympics, which currently holds the record for the most-attended Summer Games in history. For the Games, Paris has significantly enhanced its cycling infrastructure having notably expanded the number of lanes, including those along Rue de Rivoli in front of the Louvre. Currently boasting 360 km of cycle lanes, an additional 60 km of new paths are planned in preparation for the Games. The city is also set to introduce 8,000 more bicycles for rent through its Velib scheme (velib-metropole.fr) and collaborations with private companies such as Lime. In other developments, an extension of the M14 Metro line is progressing as scheduled, aiming to connect Orly airport in the south to the new St Denis-Pleyel station in the north, near the Stade de France, in time for the Games. Furthermore, the tramway system is on track to complete a full circuit around the city center by spring.

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/eiffel-tower-paris-460740/

Setting New Standards

While increased tourism brings economic benefits, it’s crucial to consider the long-term effects. Forget plastic-wrapping because the Paris Olympics aims to be the greenest Games ever. Imagine recycled stadiums, renewable energy-powering events, and athletes competing for medals made from ethically sourced materials. These changes align with growing global concerns about climate change and Paris could very well go down in the history books as a game-changer of a host. The Olympic and Paralympic Games are both set to be powered entirely by renewable energy, predominantly clean electricity, and supplemented by biogas. The avoidance of diesel generators has resulted in a reduction of approximately 13,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. These eco-friendly solutions will persist beyond the Games, providing a sustainable model for other events in various sectors to decrease their carbon footprint. Event organizers have revolutionized the approach to catering for sports events, committing to providing 13 million meals and snacks in a more environmentally conscious manner. The objective is to achieve an average of 1 kg of CO2 per meal, a notable improvement compared to the French average of 2.3kg. About 80% of the ingredients will be sourced locally, with a minimum of 30% being organic. The quantity of plant-based products will be doubled, while the use of single-use plastic will be halved, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly event. This edition of the Summer Olympics also marks the first gender-balanced Games, with equal numbers of male and female athletes. This historic milestone could be seen as a significant step towards gender equality in sports. It would have a long-lasting impact on young girls worldwide, seeing themselves reflected in the strongest, fastest, and most skilled competitors. With their focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and potentially legendary performances, the Paris 2024 Olympics have the potential to be a trailblazer. And this isn’t just for the athletes and the city but for the entire Olympic movement.

About the Author:

Katie Jenkins is a travel writer with a flair for capturing the thrill of sporting events. Her words paint vivid landscapes and evoke the excitement of exploration.

Header Photo Credit: Andrea Piacquadio https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-male-gymnast-practicing-on-gymnastic-rings-3763702/