The Olympic Village for the Paris 2024 Games has been officially inaugurated
Built on a 52-hectare site, the village sits on former industrial wastelands, featuring the Cite du Cinema as its centerpiece
In a significant event, President Emmanuel Macron visited the Paris 2024 athletes' village and officially received the keys. This village, covering 52 hectares just north of Paris, is designed to host 14,500 athletes and staff for the Olympics and 9,000 for the Paralympics.
What makes this village unique is its future transformation into an eco-friendly neighborhood after the Games. The plan is to turn it into a community that benefits around 6,000 residents. This includes building two schools, a hotel, a public park, shops, offices, and areas for people to walk and use non-motorized vehicles.
President Macron highlighted the village's post-Games role as becoming a real neighborhood for people living in the Seine Saint Denis area. He praised it as a great example of what the French construction industry can achieve.
A symbolic key exchange marked the end of a seven-year journey since Paris won the bid to host the Games. Macron handed a symbolic key to Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet. The inauguration had important figures present, like Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, regional president Valerie Pecresse, and sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera.
During his speech, Macron expressed pride in the accomplishments, acknowledging the collective effort that not only provided optimal conditions for athletes but also brought positive changes to the local community.
In a broader context, Macron celebrated France as a 'nation of builders.' He drew parallels, highlighting the notable progress in the timely reconstruction of Notre Dame, set to reopen on December 8th this year, following the tragic fire in 2019. These milestones showcase France's resilience and commitment to significant endeavors that leave a lasting impact on its history.
