The countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympics has reached 100 days. July 26 will mark the start of the Summer Games, featuring a historic opening ceremony outside a traditional stadium setting.
The Olympic flame was ignited in a special ceremony at ancient Olympia, kicking off its journey through Greece and France before arriving in Paris for the Games' commencement on July 26. The Olympics will unfold from July 26 to August 11, followed by the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8.
India in the Paris Olympics
India achieved its best-ever Olympic performance in Tokyo three years ago, raising expectations for the upcoming event. In 2021, India's contingent of 126 athletes participated in 18 events, securing seven medals— one gold, two silver, and four bronze. Presently, 42 Indian athletes have qualified, with more expected to join as several sports conclude their Olympic qualification events in the coming weeks.
What happens when the torch is lit?
The Olympic torch was ignited at the historic site where the ancient Greeks first held the Games, then passed to the initial torchbearer. Following this ceremonial start, an 11-day relay commenced across Greece before the torch embarked on a journey to France aboard the Belem, a magnificent three-masted ship.
The relay in France kicked off in Marseille, the venue for sailing competitions. Over 10,000 torchbearers will carry the flame through 64 regions of France en route to the capital, where the torch will illuminate the Olympic flame, signaling the official start of the Games.
What is planned for the opening ceremony?
The opening ceremony has been described as "unlike any other," featuring 10,500 athletes and 160 boats traveling a 3.7-mile route along the River Seine. This spectacle is anticipated to captivate a global audience of 1 billion viewers, with 326,000 attendees witnessing the event in person—a reduction from the originally planned 600,000 due to security considerations.
Notably, the ceremony on 26 July will mark the first time an Olympic opening ceremony is held outside of a traditional stadium setting, culminating in a parade at Trocadero square with a backdrop of the iconic Eiffel Tower.
What are the challenges France facing?
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Opening Ceremony 'could be delayed' over terrorism threat
French President Emmanuel Macron has assured that contingency plans are in place for potential terrorism threats at the Olympic Opening Ceremony. In an interview with French broadcaster BFMTV at The Grand Palais, Macron discussed fallback options if security risks arise, including plans B and C. He suggested the possibility of limiting the ceremony to the Paris Trocadero square or relocating it to the Stade de France in case of an incident.
Originally, organizers expected 600,000 attendees to gather along the riverbanks, but due to security and logistical concerns, this number was reduced to around 300,000 by the government earlier this year. Macron emphasized that strict security measures, including screening individuals entering and leaving the ceremony site, will be enforced days or weeks before the event.
Recent global events, notably a tragic mass shooting in Moscow, have raised fears of potential copycat attacks, prompting France to heighten its security alert. In response, Paris police intensified security for the Champions League quarterfinal, following threats from extremist groups against the Parc des Princes and other European stadiums hosting matches.
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Foreign countries to provide armed officers
France has reached out to 46 countries to contribute approximately 2,200 additional officers, many of whom will be armed, for security during the upcoming Olympics. French police will receive bonuses of up to 1,900 euros for their work at the Games, addressing concerns raised by unions over working conditions.
Additionally, the Defense Ministry has requested military support, including sniffer dogs, from foreign allies.
An estimated 30,000 police officers will be deployed daily, rising to 45,000 for the opening ceremony. Organizing committee chief Tony Estanguet stated that this is the largest security mobilization in France's history, expressing confidence in national security services to ensure safety during the Games.
Over 120 heads of state are expected to attend the opening ceremony, prompting increased surveillance across the city, although facial recognition technology will not be used due to privacy considerations.
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Concerns over pollution in the River Seine
Organizers aim for a more socially beneficial, eco-friendly, and efficient Olympics in 2024, but critics have raised concerns. Plans to open the River Seine for public swimmers in 2025 were announced after hosting triathlon events this summer. However, worries about water pollution have surfaced.
To address this, Paris has launched a €1.4 billion cleanup project. Nonetheless, Surfrider, a non-profit, found only one satisfactory water sample out of 14 taken over six months, indicating limited success.
Paris officials attribute this to the timing of the samples, taken during rainier months. They emphasize the river's suitability for swimming only in summer due to safety concerns. Consequently, surfing will not occur in Paris; instead, the event will take place in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, nearly 10,000 miles away, with athletes staying on a cruise ship in French Polynesia.
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Transport issues
Around 2.1 million residents of Paris are planning to leave the city for over two weeks. Meanwhile, drivers are upset about a new proposal that would require them to obtain a QR code online to enter traffic-restricted zones.
To handle the surge of tourists, staff on Paris' public transport system now have AI-powered translation devices. These devices will assist the hundreds of thousands of tourists exploring the city.
Tourists who choose the Paris 2024 pass will be charged 16 euros per day or 70 euros per week, a departure from the previously anticipated free public transport.
Unfortunately, the high-speed train from Charles de Gaulle airport to the city center, which was set to take only 20 minutes, has been postponed until 2027. However, an extended Metro service on Line 14 is slated to be operational by June, connecting Paris' second airport, Orly, to an Olympic hub. Additionally, there is the looming possibility of train strikes to be considered.
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Striking workers risk disruption
The CGT public servants union has announced plans to strike during the Olympics, potentially affecting many transport workers. Transport operators are preparing to accommodate 600,000 to 800,000 Olympic visitors daily.
The CGT union, representing a large number of state employees such as hospital staff and transport workers, has issued a strike notice indicating a possible strike period from April 15 to September 15, affecting around 5.7 million public workers. This could impact both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, although specific strike actions have not been specified.
France has seen various protests and strikes in recent months, including a notable demonstration by frustrated farmers in Paris, who drove their tractors to demand increased government support.
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Expensive accommodation
During the upcoming Olympics, the Olympic Village will accommodate over 14,000 athletes and officials in apartments designed for up to eight individuals. Meanwhile, fans and tourists have encountered steep rises in hotel and Airbnb rates.
The Paris region boasts France's largest collection of hotel rooms, totaling 160,000, which expands to approximately 260,000 when considering rental accommodations, campsites, and alternative lodging options available for the Games.
Despite some hotels initially tripling their rates, the competitive presence of Airbnbs has compelled them to reconsider their pricing strategies.
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The new sport at the Games
Breaking, also known as breakdancing, will debut as an Olympic sport in Paris. Participants, known as B-Boys and B-Girls, will compete one-on-one, with 16 representatives of each gender.
Their performances will be evaluated across five criteria: musicality, vocabulary, originality, technique, and execution. Breaking joins a lineup of other recently added "urban" sports at the Games, including skateboarding, surfing, sport climbing, and BMXing.
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Concerns Over Bedbugs
A bedbug scare gripped Paris last autumn, echoing similar concerns in London, according to experts. Emmanuel Gregoire, the first deputy mayor of Paris, urged Prime Minister Elizabeth Borne to address this "scourge" before the Olympics, emphasizing the public health implications.
He emphasized the need for urgent action and coordination at the national level to combat this issue, particularly as France prepares for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Despite initial alarms, authorities later confirmed that there was no significant outbreak.
In March, a French minister suggested that the bedbug hysteria was inflated by social media accounts associated with Russian "disinformation" activities.
As Paris counts down the days, excitement mingles with challenges, underscoring the transformative power and complexity of hosting the world's most prestigious sporting event.
Inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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