Three years after the award of the Games, Paris 2024 has just launched a second project review, after that of 2018 imposed by a report from the General Inspectorate of Finance which warned of a possible surge in the budget.
Why these new changes?
At the Paris 2024 headquarters, we make no secret of it: this project review was not included in the program.
In May, Tony Estanguet announced a "readjustment" of the project due, in particular, to the economic consequences linked to Covid-19.
Officially, the idea is to give yourself leeway to the tune of 10% of the organizational budget (or about 300 million euros) in order to anticipate possible contingencies.
All eyes are necessarily on the “partners” envelope valued at 1.08 billion euros, undoubtedly even more complicated to ensure with the crisis.
If we are to believe the recent exchanges between Paris 2024 and decision-makers, this amount remains the objective.
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On the other hand, the Organizing Committee (Cojo) would no longer imagine revising this estimate (initially considered prudent) upwards and recovering an additional 200 or 300 million euros.
While discussions with certain potential partners (notably Air France) are currently frozen, the partnership with Orange will be announced shortly.
According to our information, two other partnerships have just been sealed.
"Caution" pushes the Cojo to save money.
In particular by removing temporary sites (expensive to set up and operating) and by falling back on existing structures.
What events will move?
Two ephemeral sites will, except surprise, disappear: that of volleyball at Le Bourget and the aquatic stadium (swimming race) which was to be set up next to the Olympic aquatic center in Saint-Denis.
The racing swimming pool should be placed at Paris-La Défense Arena, as the Parisian revealed on July 16.
For the volleyball, nothing is recorded, the discussions with the international federations starting only.
Because it is now a question of reorganizing the site plan, upset by a domino effect.
Paris 2024 is studying the possibility of organizing a team sports tournament at Roland Garros (boxing would then be moved).
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The Coubertin stadium (discarded until then because its gauge was considered insufficient) is back in the game. An event could replace football at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium in Lille (handball had said it was interested some time ago), another could join athletics at the Stade de France.
There are many combinations and Paris 2024 is giving itself until the end of the year to exchange views with international federations whose requirements differ (some setting themselves a large target, others to stay in Paris ...)
Why don't we touch iconic sites?
Paris 2024 never ceases to highlight its iconic sites, considered essential for international promotion.
None will be affected: urban sports remain at the Concorde (but without the climbing that goes to Le Bourget), horse riding at Versailles.
The sites of the Grand Palais and the Champ-de-Mars are not called into question… just like that of Tahiti (surfing).
For Paris 2024, the wave is assured and the cost lower (including, as surprising as it is, in carbon tax).
At the time of savings in France, the postcard decor, on the other side of the world, is despite all disorder.
