It was planned at Aubervilliers, then migrated in front of the Stade de France, before being split in two, with now a part announced at La Défense.
The only sports site (with the Arena de la Porte de la Chapelle) to be specially built for the Olympics, the Olympic aquatic center is perhaps the symbol of Seine-Saint-Denis that we unravel.
The youngest department in France had yet been waved as a flag in the application phase.
Certainly, the swimming pool with its Olympic basin (already promised at the time of the candidacy for the 2012 Olympics) will finally see the light of day.
But not in its intended configuration.
The first project review in 2018 had showered the ambitions of the organizers.
Forgotten the water polo in Marville (La Courneuve), place at a unique site in front of the Stade de France, with a hard part that will remain after the Olympics (the aquatic center for synchronized swimming, diving and water- polo), and a kit part (the aquatic stadium for racing swimming)….
which ultimately will never see the light of day.
"Seine-Saint-Denis cannot be the adjustment variable"
The cost of this covered stadium with removable stands and basins had been estimated at 80 million euros but its price was likely to soar (we are talking about 130 million euros).
Swimming (running) events should therefore be organized at Paris-La Défense Arena (Hauts-de-Seine).
A less expensive choice but which deprives the department of some of the flagship events of the Games.
Since the awarding of the Olympics, the department has also lost badminton and soon volleyball.
There remains shooting (a threatened time) at La Courneuve and athletics at the Stade de France, where, according to our information, a test could be added.
“There are a few red lines that should not be crossed.
Seine-Saint-Denis cannot be the adjustment variable, and it cannot be an alibi at the time of the candidacy ”, thus launched this Thursday Stéphane Troussel, president of the department of the PS, during a point press in front of the Stade de France, alongside the new mayor of Saint-Denis, Mathieu Hanotin.
The latter warned against "a gradual unraveling" of facilities and programs which even brings into play "the meaning of Paris 2024".
"Seine-Saint-Denis is and will remain at the heart of our project"
To compensate for the departure of volleyball from Le Bourget, the organizing committee should install the climbing wall there, which will remain as a legacy.
Because inheritance remains the key word.
The Games will leave in Seine-Saint-Denis five swimming pools (four training swimming pools are built in addition to the aquatic center of the Stade de France), two swimming pools to be reinstalled (those of Paris La Défense Arena, dismantled after the Olympic Games), a climbing wall, training grounds.
The Olympic village (Saint-Denis-Ile Saint-Denis and Saint-Ouen) will be transformed into a vast district of 2,200 housing units.
For elected officials, however, the account is not there.
Because another district was planned at Le Bourget and this site (planned for the media village) became the ball of the OJ file.
The specifications did not impose it on the organizers who let themselves be tempted (by elected officials anxious to "serve" several areas of Seine-Saint-Denis) by the idea of bringing something more.
A “plus” that has become bulky today.
The redesigned concept can do without the media village, now far from competition venues.
But elected officials do not intend to ignore these 1300 promised housing units.
As this part is financed in particular by public funds, the final decision will rest with the State.
Officially nothing is decided.
"I hear the fears and concerns," comments Tony Estanguet.
But I want to reassure: Seine-Saint-Denis is and will remain at the heart of our project.
Stéphane Troussel is very invested in his territory.
The dialogue is permanent.
We work on a daily basis with all the local players so that the Games are useful and make the inhabitants of Seine-Saint-Denis proud.
The idea of a media village reduced to its bare minimum for the Olympics (300 homes) is gaining ground.
Decision-makers will now sit around the table to find out when and to what extent this district, which will soon no longer really be part of the Olympic dossier, will be extended… But after 2024.