With less than six months to go until the Olympic Games in Paris, many Parisians are feeling anxious and apprehensive about the impact of the event on their city. Some fear that the Games will bring traffic jams, overcrowding, pollution, and security risks, while others worry that the Games will not live up to the expectations and promises of the organizers. Some Parisians are planning to leave the city during the Games, while others are hoping to enjoy the spectacle and the benefits of the Games.
The Olympic Games in Paris, which will take place from 26 July to 11 August 2024, are being touted as a “revolutionary” and “eco-friendly” project by the organizers and the authorities. The Games are expected to have half the usual carbon footprint and very little building, to avoid wasteful infrastructure investment. The Games are also meant to showcase the beauty and diversity of Paris and its surroundings, with events taking place in iconic locations such as the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, and the Palace of Versailles.
The organizers have also promised to make the Games “for the people”, with innovative features such as the opening ceremony on the River Seine, where 10,000 athletes on 100 boats will float along 6km of water, and the opportunity for amateur athletes to run the Olympic marathon route by night. The organizers have also pledged to involve the local communities and the youth in the preparation and delivery of the Games, and to create a lasting legacy for the city and the country.
The Fears: A Covid-Like Nightmare for Parisians
However, not all Parisians are convinced by the vision and the benefits of the Games. Some are concerned that the Games will disrupt their daily lives and create more problems than solutions for the city. Some of the fears and complaints expressed by Parisians include:
- The traffic and transport issues, especially during the summer when many Parisians are on holiday and the public transport system is reduced. Some fear that the Games will cause gridlock and delays, and that the authorities will not be able to cope with the influx of visitors and vehicles. Some also resent the fact that the authorities have advised Parisians to work from home or avoid using public transport during the Games, as if they were not welcome in their own city.
- The environmental and health issues, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and the climate crisis. Some fear that the Games will increase the pollution and the waste in the city, and that the measures taken to reduce the environmental impact of the Games will not be enough or will be too costly. Some also worry that the Games will pose a health risk, as the city will host millions of people from different countries and backgrounds, and that the sanitary and security protocols will not be sufficient or respected.
- The social and economic issues, especially in relation to the inequality and the gentrification in the city. Some fear that the Games will benefit only the wealthy and the tourists, and that the ordinary Parisians will be left behind or excluded. Some also worry that the Games will increase the cost of living and the housing prices in the city, and that the authorities will use the Games as an excuse to evict or relocate the homeless and the marginalized people from the city center.
- The political and cultural issues, especially in relation to the identity and the sovereignty of the city and the country. Some fear that the Games will be used as a propaganda tool by the authorities and the organizers, and that the Parisians will not have a say or a role in the decision-making and the management of the Games. Some also worry that the Games will erase or distort the history and the heritage of the city, and that the Parisians will lose their sense of belonging and pride in their city.
The Hopes: A Unique and Unforgettable Experience for Parisians
Despite the fears and the criticisms, some Parisians are optimistic and enthusiastic about the Games, and they are looking forward to the event and the opportunities it will bring. Some of the hopes and expectations expressed by Parisians include:
- The sport and entertainment value, especially for the fans and the enthusiasts of the Olympic spirit and values. Some hope that the Games will offer a unique and unforgettable experience for the Parisians, and that they will be able to witness and participate in the world’s biggest sporting event. Some also hope that the Games will inspire and motivate the Parisians to practice more sport and physical activity, and to improve their health and well-being.
- The economic and social value, especially for the businesses and the workers who will benefit from the Games. Some hope that the Games will boost the economy and the tourism of the city, and that they will create more jobs and income for the Parisians. Some also hope that the Games will foster more social cohesion and solidarity among the Parisians, and that they will promote more diversity and inclusion in the city.
- The environmental and educational value, especially for the young and the future generations who will inherit the Games. Some hope that the Games will raise awareness and action on the environmental and the climate issues, and that they will showcase the best practices and the innovations in the field. Some also hope that the Games will provide more educational and cultural opportunities for the Parisians, and that they will enhance the knowledge and the skills of the city and the country.
- The political and historical value, especially for the pride and the prestige of the city and the country. Some hope that the Games will strengthen the identity and the sovereignty of the city and the country, and that they will demonstrate their leadership and their influence in the world. Some also hope that the Games will celebrate and honor the history and the heritage of the city, and that they will create a lasting legacy for the city and the country.
Parisians fear Olympic chaos as Games approach, while authorities and organizers try to reassure them that the Games will be a revolutionary and eco-friendly project.
