Invited to participate in a meeting in the presence of the mayor, the police chief and Paris 2024 on Thursday evening, the Dionysians expressed their concerns a few weeks before the Games.
Sign up here to receive free every Friday our Libélympic newsletter.
In the large room of the town hall of Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis), around 200 people face a screen installed for the occasion. Sitting on royal blue chairs, the faces are serious, angry. In front of them, the PS mayor, Mathieu Hanotin, presents them with an advertising video for the Olympics. “As you see, the ceremony is going to be sumptuous. Each of you is, of course, invited to attend.” His voice, carried by a microphone, resonates throughout the room. Contrary to what one might believe, this meeting was not organized to make the Dionysians want to attend the Games, but to allow them to express their concerns.
Saint-Denis will be one of the cities most affected by the Olympics. It will mobilize different structures, notably the Olympic Aquatic Center, the Stade de France, the Arena at Porte de la Chapelle, but it will also accommodate part of the Olympic Village where athletes will come to rest, train or even eat. For several months, the town hall has regularly organized these meetings to keep residents informed of progress, but also to reassure them about the impacts of the competition. Given the number of residents who made the trip, many still have questions.
Among the officials present, representatives of the Paris 2024 organization, as well as the Paris police prefect, Laurent Nuñez, who came to explain to residents how the security perimeters work: throughout the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, i.e. a little more than two months, it will not be possible to pass through certain areas of the city by motor vehicle without an exemption, except in emergency situations. “We are doing this to ensure security, not to restrict your freedoms.” replies the police chief when murmurs of discontent emanate from the crowd.
“Are we going to have to extend our journey?”
As for the bus lines still not ready two months before kick-off, organizers and elected officials also want to be reassuring. “It will happen soon,” says Florent Bardon, national mobility coordinator for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. “We will keep you informed.” They also recall that a platform, anticipateerlesjeux.gouv.fr, has been set up by the organizing committee to keep up to date with progress, rules and organization.
When question time arrives, hands go up en masse. The questions are flying. Many concern access closures to the ring road or even the red zones, the most restricted. “How are we going to get to work if we can’t enter certain areas? Are we going to have to extend our journey for the Olympics? asks a woman. “If I want to invite a loved one during this period, will they be able to park?” asks another. “How are you going to distinguish residents of blue and red zones from ordinary passers-by? Will we need proof of address permanently in our car?
Some answers are evasive. “Sometimes we will do it on a case by case basis. Don’t hesitate to go to town hall to find solutions.” Others are very clear: “Relatives will be able to come, but by public transport, they will not be able to park in the red zone.” It is also advisable to travel with a proof of address.
“But Pleyel is far from certain infrastructures”
The metro issue deeply worries residents. “Line 13 is already defective today. How will it happen during the Olympics?» says a young woman. Florent Bardon responds: “Metro 14 will be extended to Pleyel, the work is in progress and will be completed on time, this will help relieve congestion on line 13.” She replies: “But Pleyel is far from certain infrastructures. To join them, supporters will have to take line 13? “It’s already better than if there wasn’t the 14”concludes the Paris 2024 mobility manager.
The Rugby World Cup this fall seems to have left its mark. “We know that there will be noise pollution, both near the infrastructures and in the center. We don’t want to relive what we experienced last year.”, says a resident. After an hour of discussions, the discontent is palpable, as is the annoyance of those in charge. Many hands are still raised. The mayor cuts the meeting short: “Don’t worry, there will be more. There is still time before the Olympics.”
