“It’s nonsense, the Olympics have a beginning and an end. When it’s over, it’s over !” Denis, resident of the 7th arrondissement of Paris and neighbor of the Eiffel Tower, is categorical concerning Anne Hidalgo’s proposal to keep the Olympic rings on the Iron Lady. “They have nothing to do with the Eiffel Tower, it distorts it”he complains while walking his Labrador on Monday 2 September. The very affirmative statement by the mayor of Paris on Saturday sparked a controversy and many reactions, particularly in the Parisian political class.
“As mayor of Paris, the decision is mine and I have the agreement of the CIO”the International Olympic Committee, the socialist said in an interview with West France. To extend the Olympic and Paralympic celebrations, she wants to see new rings, “as big, but lighter”take a seat on the monument “as soon as possible”replacing those currently installed, “too heavy” For “to resist sustainably”.
But will the mayor’s will convince the Parisians? ? An online petition was launched to oppose this decision, gathering more than 5 000 signatures on Monday during the day. “I prefer that we keep the basin, rather than the rings which I don’t see the use for, believes Victor, met at the foot of the building and the Olympic symbol, on the way to a blind football event. “The Eiffel Tower was originally built for the World’s Fair.”he recalls.
“Let’s keep its universal character without associating it with the Olympic Games.”
Victor, resident of the 12th arrondissement of Paristo franceinfo
“The Eiffel Tower is already an exceptional monument. I agree to pedestrianize it” its forecourt, another announcement from Anne Hidalgo, “but it doesn’t seem like a good idea to me to keep the rings, it could get in the way at other events”also believes Alexandre, a resident of the 7th arrondissement who, from his window, has a small view of the monument. “Come on, let’s keep the rings for another year, and then put them somewhere else.”suggests Gérard, walking down the Trocadéro gardens to watch some wheelchair rugby.
You have to look hard to find Parisians open to the idea of an Olympic Eiffel Tower. “Why not let the Eiffel Tower keep the memory of these Olympic Games? It doesn’t seem absurd to me.”Ronan thought aloud, cycling past the Place du Trocadéro. “She is part of the history of Paris and, now, these Games are also part of history”.
The doubts of Parisians join those of many elected officials who have been speaking out since Saturday. Rachida Dati, one of the first to take up the pen, called for respect for “procedures” and some “consultations” before deciding whether or not to keep the rings on the flagship monument of the district of which she is mayor. The Minister of Culture of the resigning government, who does not hide her desire to take Anne Hidalgo’s place, recalls the character “temporary” of the installation : “The Eiffel Tower is a protected monument, the work of an immense engineer and creator. Respect for its architectural gesture and its work requires, before making any substantial modification, a work permit and an impact assessment, in accordance with the Heritage Code.”
The Eiffel Tower remains, apart from a few nuances of paintwork and apart from the effects of technological developments, the same as the one erected by Gustave Eiffel for the Universal Exhibition of 1889. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1964. “The Eiffel Tower is made to transform itself temporarily, but is not intended to retain other elements”believes Pierre-Yves Bournazel, Paris councilor within the opposition and supporter of Edouard Philippe. Many are thus worried to see the numerous messages sent to the whole world from the Eiffel Tower scrambled by the presence of these rings.
“These Games were a success and a force to build new projects for the future, not to remain frozen in 2024.”
Pierre-Yves Bournazel, elected member of the right-wing opposition on the Paris Councilto franceinfo
“The Eiffel Tower is not an advertising site, but a heritage and historical emblem. As much as we want to keep the cauldron, everything like the silver horsebut the rings are destined to go to Los Angeles”insists opposition representative Brigitte Kuster. “There are other ways to continue to maintain Olympic fervor. For example, we have rings on the Place de la Bastille.”also notes LR elected representative Nelly Garnier. “But the role of the Eiffel Tower is to remain this symbol of Paris visited by millions of tourists each year who do not come to see the Olympic rings.”
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“We need to stop being in constant communication. After the Olympics, there is the time for life to take back its rights.”also annoys LR Jean-Pierre Lecoq, mayor of the 6th borough. “This monument has existed for almost 140 years. A lot of events happened in Paris, like the liberation of Paris for example, and nothing was put on the Eiffel Tower. So putting the Olympic rings to celebrate an event that lasted six weeks in total seems a bit quick to me.”
Even elected environmentalists, who are part of Anne Hidalgo’s municipal majority, are demanding time for debate before deciding on the future of this Olympic symbol. “The rings and the Eiffel Tower are sufficient in themselves, they are two very strong symbols. We are not against keeping the rings, but we want a debate to think about where to install them.”explains Frédéric Badina-Serpette, elected environmentalist and administrator of the Société d’exploitation de la Tour Eiffel. With his fellow environmentalists, they have also planned to put the subject to the next Board of Directors meeting.
“We want more information on the consequences that this decision would have. We are not conservative, but it does not seem to us to be the most urgent.”
Frédéric Badina-Serpette, elected environmentalist to the Paris Councilto franceinfo
For his part, Olivier Berthelot-Eiffel, great-great-grandson of Gustave Eiffel, is not against the idea of keeping the rings on the Iron Lady for a few more months, but not permanently. “The Eiffel Tower is a symbol of French inventiveness and ingenuity. It is more likely to carry the Republican motto, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, rather than the Olympic motto, Faster, Higher, Stronger.”considers the president of the Association of Descendants of Gustave Eiffel. He believes that the project leaves several questions unanswered. “The IOC, an international organisation with private interests, is very careful about everything that concerns the Olympics”he recalls. Would he allow his rings to coexist on the monument with a mark of support for Ukraine or the victims of the 7th? October in Israel ? The question will undoubtedly arise if Anne Hidalgo follows through with her project.