Through observations, winks and anecdotes, the Carnets de Paris immerse you in the heart of the Olympic Games.
This is one of the innovations brought by the Paris Games in the area where the athletes are staying. The organizers are talking about the “very first crèche in the Olympic Village.” For those who are more familiar with religious culture than French, “crèche” is the word the French use to refer to daycare centers.
That was all it took to pique the curiosity of a journalist from Quebec, whose public childcare network is cited as an example around the world. The return to reality was all the more brutal.
An initiative funded by an American multinational specializing in cleaning, hygiene and pharmaceutical products, the Pampers family space is a small room with a changing table, a bench hidden behind a screen for breastfeeding, small fridges and a microwave oven and a play area.
Let’s be clear, this is not about holding more than three, maybe four very calm children. Context requires, small running lanes have been painted on the cushioned floor, but even a very short-legged runner would not take more than five strides before hitting a wall. For the same reason, there is little chance that the wooden minitricycle without pedals will be so successful, even if it comes with a helmet. The same could be said of the plastic bubble pool which is so small that it should be called a bathtub, or a large bubble sink.
For children who are less active than their parents, a very small bookcase filled with about ten children’s books has been placed next to a large turquoise beanbag chair. A pretty Eiffel Tower made of wooden blocks will also keep them busy for 5 or 10 minutes.
Interested athletes must first apply for a pass for their children and possibly their spouses. We were receiving applications weeks before the Games and parents come to enjoy the facilities every day, assured the gate attendant. But we didn’t see anyone around while we were there. You have to start somewhere, as they say.
This report was funded with support from the Transat International Journalism Fund-The duty.