The mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo wants this symbol of Olympism to remain on the emblematic monument of the capital until the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. But the thirty-ton steel structure was not designed to withstand the winter weather conditions and had to be contracted before September 30.
The City of Paris, owner of the Eiffel Tower, and the IOC, owner of the Olympic logo, have said they are working on the construction of new, lighter, durable rings.
The old ones, made from recycled steel, will be remelted once again in an electric furnace in France, in order to produce steel beams which will be used for the construction in Luxembourg of the new head office of their manufacturer, ArcelorMittal, the steelmaker said on Friday. .
“Legendary”, “It’s genius!”: The unusual challenge launched by a comedian to a medal holder from the Paris Olympics creates a buzz (VIDEO)
On the Eiffel Tower, while waiting for the new rings to be installed, smaller ones were hung on the Pont d’Iéna, just opposite, to “provide continuity”, according to the town hall.
The socialist mayor’s plan to keep the rings on the Eiffel Tower until 2028 has raised strong criticism among heritage defenders and descendants of Gustave Eiffel.
The latter believe that their maintenance would undermine the work of their ancestor erected 135 years ago, which in their eyes is not intended to display an “advertising sign”, the rings being a commercial brand.
The emblem of the Paralympic Games, three red, blue and green crescents, called “Agitos”, also made of recycled steel, was taken down last week from the Arc de Triomphe and was given to the department of Seine Saint-Denis. They must be installed at Prisme, a new inclusive sports center, unique in France, which is due to open this winter in Bobigny, particularly for high-level training and competitions for para-athletes.
