Key Highlights of Paris 2024 Olympics – Estimated Cost to Reach $9.8 Billion

The summer Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to August 11, will feature 10,500 athletes competing in 329 events. The Paralympics will follow from August 28 to September 8, with 4,400 athletes participating in 549 events. The Olympics will see representation from 206 countries, while 184 countries will compete in the Paralympics.

Venues and Events

The main athletics events will be held at the Stade de France, located on the northern outskirts of Paris. Additional Olympic and Paralympic venues are spread throughout the city. The Pont d’Iena will host cycling events, beach volleyball will take place near the Eiffel Tower, and the marathon will start at the Hotel de Ville and conclude at Les Invalides. Open water swimming and triathlon events will occur in the Seine, despite historical concerns about water quality.

Water Quality and Safety Measures

In mid-June, tests revealed that E. coli levels in the Seine were ten times above acceptable limits. However, organizers hope that July’s sunshine and initiatives like a rainwater storage basin will improve water quality. On July 17, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo demonstrated her confidence in the safety of the river by taking a swim.

Security and Attendance

Paris 2024 will be secured by an extensive operation involving 35,000 to 45,000 personnel. For the first time in modern Olympic history, the opening ceremony will feature a parade along the Seine. Originally, 600,000 spectators were to receive free tickets to watch from the riverbanks, but concerns over potential drone attacks have reduced this number to 326,000, with 220,000 as invited guests and 104,000 as ticket holders. An “anti-terrorism perimeter” will be established along the Seine, requiring residents and workers to have special passes.

Security Threats

In early 2024, intelligence services uncovered two plots by suspected Islamic militants. In May, a man was detained for allegedly planning an attack on the torch relay in Bordeaux, and another was arrested in southern France for plotting an attack on an Olympic football venue.

Financial Aspects and Environmental Goals

The estimated cost of the Paris 2024 Games is approximately $9.8 billion, which is less than the costs of the previous four Games. The funding primarily comes from private companies, ticket sales, and broadcasting rights. The French government might need to cover around $3.2 billion to $5.4 billion for expenses such as security.

Paris 2024 aims to be the greenest Olympics in history, targeting half the carbon footprint of the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games. Nearly 95% of the venues will use existing or temporary structures, with a strong emphasis on recycled materials and minimizing carbon emissions. Nonetheless, some national teams have reportedly ordered thousands of air-conditioning units for the Olympic Village.

Economic Impact

Paris expects millions of visitors during the Games, with ticket holders projected to spend around $2.8 billion. Anticipating high demand, Parisian hotels have significantly increased their rates, though reports suggest that many have experienced lower-than-expected bookings. Public transportation fares in the city will double during the Games, and the Louvre increased its entrance fees by nearly 30% in January.

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