“The sites are almost all established,” assures Pierre Rabadan, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are almost there. A month to the day now separates us from the big Olympic event and its inaugural parade on the Seine. The capital has been preparing for many years, but never have the Games been so visible in Paris. This is demonstrated by the recent appearances in the Parisian landscape of ephemeral competition and celebration sites. At the Champ de Mars, at the Trocadéro or even on the Place de la Concorde.
“We are exactly on schedule,” the elected official insists. “There were some minor structural difficulties a few weeks ago, also linked to labor inspections and checks, but they were able to be fixed. To date, everything is back to normal, I have not been informed of any difficulties with the assembly deadlines. Almost all the temporary sites have their final appearance, but not yet their decoration and fittings.” approach area etc., but all the sites are almost made up. And the ceremony is being finalized. »
Zone Champ de Mars – tour Eiffel
As of this Wednesday, June 26, the Champ de Mars (7th arrondissement) is completely occupied by the Paris 2024 teams. The gardens which extend from the Eiffel Tower to the ephemeral Grand Palais (renamed Arena Champ de Mars during the competition) have seen the emergence, in recent weeks, of the Eiffel Tower stadium with some 13,000 seats. The imposing metal structure will be the scene of beach volleyball and then blind football events during the Paralympic Games.
The Parc des Champions at Trocadéro
On the other side of the Iron Lady, its facade on which the five giant Olympic rings were hung a few days ago overlooks the Seine and the Trocadéro, in full upheaval. There too, impressive metal structures are being assembled. This is the Champions Park. Here, the medal-winning athletes will parade every evening in the middle of the crowd (13,000 people), with their charms around their necks on a wide track. The stands, which face each other, are set up.
From July 1, all the Trocadéro gardens will be occupied by Paris 2024, except the Aquarium. And the Jena Bridge will close to road traffic on the same day.
The Concorde Urban Park
Another key venue for these Paris 2024 Games, Place de la Concorde (8th arrondissement) is being completely transformed. Completely closed to traffic since the beginning of June, all mobility combined, the immense esplanade facing the Hôtel de la Marine and the Crillon hosts four ephemeral stadiums. First the stands, then now a marquee-shaped structure appears.
The new Olympic disciplines will be in the spotlight in this urban theater of the Games: 3×3 basketball, BMX, breakdancing and skateboarding. The temporary facilities will be able to accommodate up to 37,000 spectators. A real stadium in the city.
The Esplanade des Invalides
The best archers in the world will compete on the new lawns, arriving at the beginning of May, on the Esplanade des Invalides (7th century). Another ephemeral Olympic site built especially for this summer’s competition, and where the archery events will be held.
Since June 17, the entire Avenue Gallieni between Quai d’Orsay and Rue de Grenelle has been closed as well as Rue de l’Université between Fabert and Constantine. The stands, again, have been erected, as well as the lighting pylons.
The opening ceremony
This is the last stop in inner Paris. The one started as close as possible to the competition to limit movement restrictions for Parisians. The assembly of stands and other structures as well as the technical installations necessary for the organization of the shows which will accompany the river parade began on June 17 on the lower quays, and will continue from this Wednesday on the high quays. Then on the different decks of the opening ceremony.
The Alexandre-III bridge, already closed to road traffic, is already equipped with its stands. It will host the arrival of the individual time trial in road cycling, marathon swimming, triathlon and paratriathlon “in this majestic setting”, underlines Paris 2024.
Nautical stadium of Vaires-sur-Marne
In Île-de-France too, construction sites are progressing. At the Olympic nautical stadium in Vaires-sur-Marne, all the infrastructure has been completed, notably the impressive stands with 12,500 seats for rowing and canoeing and those with 10,300 seats for canoe slalom (not counting the places for standing spectators). The logistical phase begins with the installation of cameras and giant screens, sound systems, etc.
The national federations and regional canoeing and rowing committees are leaving the premises and moving their boats out of the stadium by the beginning of July. The site is currently already occupied by French or foreign competitors who are training in canoeing and kayak slalom (pre-games training) until July 12. Official training will begin on July 20.
