why the official water distributed to athletes and visitors is not French

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A water bottle production line at the Chaudfontaine factory. (ERIC LALMAND / MAXPPP)

Belgian water Chaudfontaine has been selected as the official partner of the Paris 2024 Games.

The last stocks of natural mineral water from the Belgian brand Chaudfontaine arrived in Paris on Tuesday, July 23, a few days before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. This will be the only water sold and distributed on the official sites of the competition, to athletes, staff and visitors. A Walloon water, named after the municipality of the same name in the Liège region, which has never been marketed in France before.

The Coca-Cola group, official beverage distributor for the Paris 2024 Games, has chosen Chaudfontaine, which has belonged to the group since 2003. But this brand does not appear in its French catalogue (unlike the Smartwater brand, which is sourced in England). A choice that the director of the Chaudfontaine site explains by its commitment to reducing CO2 emissions.

The Chaudfontaine production site has been CO2 neutral since the end of 2021 thanks to “100% renewable electricity and reduction in the use of fossil fuels”assures Achmed Boumrah, who specifies his pride in “contribute to the achievement of ambitions” of the Paris 2024 Games.

“​If we look at the distance to Paris, we are one of the most natural sources of mineral water. “closer,” says the site director. The bottles are transported by biogas trucks and a test was carried out with hydrogen trucks. Achmed Boumrah specifies that the packaging of the bottles is “made from 100% recycled plastic (except the cap and label) or returnable glass.”

A truck loads the bottles to be delivered for Paris 2024, from the Chaudfontaine factory. (CHAUDFONTAINE / GROUPE COCA-COLA BELGIUM)

In total, 7.2 million bottles were produced for the Paris 2024 Games. 50 cl bottles, some of still water, others of sparkling water. Nearly 70% of them are made of plastic and 30% are made of returnable glass. The factory has reinforced its teams by around fifteen people, a relatively usual increase in staff for a summer period, specifies the communications department. Note that the distribution of Chaudfontaine water in France is a first and will remain an exception, only for the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.


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