PARIS – With the opening ceremony just days away, Paris Olympics chief Tony Estanguet confidently declared the city is ready to welcome the world for the 2024 Summer Games.
“We are ready as we head into the final phase,” Estanguet said. “For as long as the closing ceremony hasn’t finished, we need to remain vigilant. But today we are exactly where we would have dreamed of being a few years ago.”
Finishing touches are being applied across the French capital as thousands of athletes and officials pour in for the highly anticipated event. One of the most notable changes is the improved water quality of the Seine River, which will host the opening ceremony with nearly 7,000 athletes set to sail on 85 barges and boats – the first time the Olympics will kick off outside the main stadium.
Up to 300,000 spectators with tickets are expected, along with 200,000 more non-ticketed fans, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the city. “It was always a choice made in full conscience that the success of Paris 2024 would mean having the Games in the city,” Estanguet explained.
However, the vast security operation required for the Olympics has caused some disruptions, with parts of central Paris off-limits to the public. Trade groups representing shops and restaurants have complained of an “unprecedented slump in business and footfall” due to the Games.
Estanguet played down these concerns, saying Paris is “ready” despite minor hiccups. Many innovative sports events, such as beach volleyball at the Eiffel Tower, archery at the Invalides, and skateboarding at the Place de la Concorde, are set to showcase the city’s ability to host the world’s premier athletic competition.
As the final countdown begins, Paris appears poised to deliver a memorable Olympic Games that will highlight the city’s unique charm and world-class infrastructure. With the Olympic flame ready to be lit, the stage is set for Paris to shine on the global stage.
