“The model of this event goes against what we want to do in Paris”, explained Monday, October 3 to France Bleu Pierre Rabadan, deputy mayor of Paris, in charge of Sport, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Seine.
>>> 2022 Football World Cup: the city of Paris will not broadcast any match on a giant screen, such as Marseille, Bordeaux or Strasbourg
franceinfo: Why did the city of Paris make this decision?
Pierre Rabadan : For several reasons. We wonder, like many people, about the model of this event which goes against what we want to do in Paris within the framework of Paris-2024, in particular. There is the problem of the environmental impact, with many constructions, stadiums which will be air-conditioned. The construction conditions of these infrastructures also raise questions. Inevitably, this should challenge us. One of the other reasons is: in the middle of December, would setting up broadcasting zones in France be relevant? In view of these questions, we decided not to set up broadcasting zones.
Some point to the links that the city of Paris and Qatar may have, especially with PSG. What do you answer?
The decision was made several weeks ago. Of course Qatar is very invested in PSG, we have very constructive relations with the club and its entourage but that does not prevent us from saying when we do not agree. That Qatar wants to organize a World Cup is one thing, behind all the parameters of the organization is a decision that is more than 10 years old. But that should not prevent us from questioning this model.
Are French cities not reacting a little late?
I don’t know if it’s too late. The diffusion zones look at each other around several issues. You have to see the feasibility of things depending on the period, on what is happening in the public space at that time. We are in a very particular period with the environmental and energy crisis which is looming for this winter, the major Covid crisis, the international context, communities which are having financial difficulties. All this must be taken into account. In view of this, everyone had to position themselves and this is what several cities are doing.
This World Cup really goes against what you plan for 2024 in Paris?
We have a project around the hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games very focused on energy sobriety and the reduction of greenhouse gases and the carbon footprint. Hosting the Games in Paris aims to have an environmental impact half that of London. We want to create a new standard of big events by organizing the biggest of them. Some points therefore go against the next World Cup.
Should Fifa, UEFA or the IOC be more careful on certain points?
This seems obvious to us, particularly in the period that is unfolding before our eyes. The evolution of the climate is a very strong issue, major events are a necessity but they must rethink their model. The IOC is part of this perspective with its 2020 agenda which corresponds to what the city of Paris wanted to do for the 2024 Olympics. It is the creation of a new model of event taking into account much more important of the legacy, of the social, societal and environmental impact in the organization.