Descendants of Gustave Eiffel, the architect of the Eiffel Tower, are opposed to the idea of Paris keeping the newly installed Olympic Rings on the monument. The rings were placed there in connection with the recent summer games held in the city. Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo has expressed interest in keeping the rings on display until the 2028 Los Angeles games or possibly longer. However, locals and tourists have expressed support for the Eiffel family’s sentiments.
The Olympic Rings are located between the two lower tiers of the Eiffel Tower, overlooking the Seine River. The tower, erected in 1889 by Eiffel, attracts around 7 million tourists annually, with three-fourths of them being foreigners. It is considered the most visited monument in the world. Despite this popularity, Eiffel’s family is prepared to take legal action to have the rings removed by the end of 2024, citing concerns that they negatively impact the respect for the iconic monument.
The Eiffel family, represented by l’Association des Descendants du Gustave Eiffel (ADGE), is particularly opposed to the colorful and large size of the rings, as well as their placement on the main avenue of approach to the tower. They believe that the rings create an imbalance and significantly modify the pure forms of the monument. ADGE also emphasizes the importance of keeping the tower’s facade open to support important causes, as it has done in the past, such as standing with Ukraine against Russia.
Tourists and Parisians interviewed by CNN expressed their views on the rings being retained on the Eiffel Tower, with many feeling that it should only be a temporary addition. Some referred to the rings as an eyesore and felt that it was time to move on from the summer games. Despite the influx of global tourists during the summer games, the ADGE emphasizes the need to respect Gustave Eiffel’s work and legacy and intends to continue advocating for the removal of the rings from the monument.
In conclusion, the debate over the Olympic Rings on the Eiffel Tower reflects a clash between preserving the historical and aesthetic integrity of the monument and showcasing modern symbols of global events. While Mayor Hidalgo envisions the rings as a lasting symbol of international sports, the Eiffel family and supporters argue for the removal of the rings to maintain the original purity and grandeur of the tower. The issue highlights the ongoing tension between tradition and progress in preserving iconic landmarks and their historical significance. Ultimately, the fate of the Olympic Rings on the Eiffel Tower will depend on a delicate balance between honoring the past and embracing the future.
