Like a symbol.
After the cancellation of all sporting events because of the health crisis, Parisians will be able to put on their running shoes for a race in the heart of the capital on the occasion of Olympic Day.
Appointment is therefore given on June 23.
Registrations, free, open this Thursday.
“It's not a race with a huge sporting challenge.
Even I, who am not in very good shape, could do it several times, laughs Pierre Rabadan, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of sport, the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games.
But this is still very good news.
"
Between the Pont d'Iéna, the starting point, and the ephemeral Grand Palais, only 2,024 meters will in fact have to be covered.
On foot or by bike, for that matter.
Because the objective is above all to "re-mobilize Parisians as well as the entire French public for the Olympics, which are getting closer," supports Pierre Rabadan.
The Parisian Olympiad will begin in September, after the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
We therefore wanted to reach the widest possible audience.
Adults, children… ”
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But to get your bib, it is better to do it now.
Because if life gradually resumes its normal course, the organization remains constrained.
The starts will be in six waves of 500 runners only, between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Enough to respect a necessary safety distance, 4 square meters per runner.
In the departure airlock as well as on arrival, masks will also be compulsory.
A message of hope for other sporting events
This race also offers encouraging prospects for athletes.
Like those who planned to participate in the Paris marathon, scheduled for October 17 after many postponements, and who will soon start their preparation.
“It will mark, I hope, the return of events to the public space in Paris. From this summer, moreover, at the Trocadéro, with a site dedicated to basketball, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, recalls Pierre Rabadan. We are extremely sought after by the organizers of sporting events. Discussions have resumed with the prefecture. But we must keep the measure. We will monitor the evolution of the epidemic. And hope that with the vaccination, there is not a turning back after the summer. "
