He wet the shirt. Two years before the opening of the Paris 2024 Olympics, Emmanuel Macron convened an Olympic Council on Monday July 25, which enabled him to put the State back at the heart of the preparation for the 2024 Olympics, surrounded by a dozen of ministers. The goal of this “site meeting” was to review all the files relating to the Olympic Games (July 26 – August 11, 2024), and to sign the mobilization at all levels of the State. He then gave a daily interview The Team (for subscribers), published on Tuesday, in which he assured that France would be ready: “We are two years to the day from the start of the Games. Now it’s really a time trial.” Franceinfo summarizes what you need to remember.
No additional tax
The budget for these Games remains a sensitive subject. He has crystallized a number of concerns in recent months, in particular because of the inflation resulting mainly from the conflict in Ukraine. In the interview, Emmanuel Macron underlined “that there are solutions to meet them and that there are no drifts in our costs”. “In this context, I reaffirmed a simple principle: there will be no Olympic Games tax. The Games must finance the Games”he insisted.
Discussions between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (Cojo), whose budget of 4 billion is almost entirely financed by private revenue, to try to identify ways of saving, had already been started a few weeks ago. The organizers, whose budget is guaranteed by the State, must withstand the inflationary shock and are carrying out a budget review this year. IOC President Thomas Bach, present in Paris, also met Emmanuel Macron on Monday to discuss this subject.
A ticket office for everyone
The President of the Republic affirmed that the State “go buy 400,000 tickets” on the occasion of the Olympics, “which he will distribute to young people and schoolchildren, especially those under 16”but also, among other things, to “volunteers who contribute to the Games and to sport in France”. In all, 10 million tickets will be on sale for the Olympic Games and nearly 3.4 million for the Paralympic Games in Paris, according to the organizers’ website.
The “popular box office” mentioned by the President will also be intended “to people with disabilities, their caregivers and state and community officials who help with these Games, particularly categories B and C”, said the Head of State. She “will aim to facilitate access to sport and to allow those who have contributed to the influence of the Games to access competitions, where they might not have been able to afford them”he estimated.
Games in complete safety
The President of the Republic mentioned security, a sensitive topic since the incidents that occurred during the Champions League final at the Stade de France. “We put all the chances on our side, by anticipation and organization”, he said. Thus, the cultural or sporting events that usually take place during the Olympic fortnight will take place before or after “in order not to mobilize the police”.
He wants France to be able “to ensure the opening ceremony and the Games in complete safety, while being able to deal with events elsewhere in France which could occur in parallel, such as large fires or a terrorist attack”.
“That means we have to have reserves and not mobilize everyone.”
Emmanuel Macronat “The Team”
The president thus promises the creation of “eleven new mobile units that will last beyond the Games” and the mobilization of private security. “From the start of the school year, we will greatly increase the volume of recruitment in this sector and finance training”, he adds. Regarding the opening ceremony, planned on the Seine, the president assures that there is no question of reviewing the ambition.
Transport at the height
Regarding possible strike threats during the Games, the President stated that “everything will be done so that we are not dependent and exposed to a risk of social mobilization during this event”. He recalled in particular the existence of the minimum service in the event of major events.
“I have confidence in the spirit of responsibility of those whose very job it is to serve the public.”
Emmanuel Macronat “The Team”
The president also wants transport accessibility to be improved, “whether it’s buses, VTCs and taxis, we’re not yet at the level”. The Paris metro is “much harder” to be made adaptable, according to the Head of State. “We will not be able to change the whole metropolitan area by 2024”he estimated.