In the Paris outskirts, a 10-year-old girl named Lyla Kebbi is eagerly awaiting the end of the Olympic and Paralympic Games because her swimming club will inherit an Olympic pool. The pool will be dismantled after the Games and transported to Sevran, a Paris-area town with less wealth, where it will be reassembled for Kebbi and her swim team to use. This initiative aims to bring luck to the young swimmers and provide them with better facilities for training.
Paris is hosting the Olympics with a focus on socially positive and environmentally friendly initiatives. This aligns with a global shift towards more sustainable and less wasteful mega-events, as seen by the limited number of cities willing to host the Games in recent years. The International Olympic Committee hopes that the Paris Games will set a new standard for future events and address concerns about the environmental impact and cost of hosting such large-scale sporting competitions.
The Paris Olympics are also expected to have a positive impact on disadvantaged suburbs like Seine-Saint-Denis, where many residents face challenges such as racial discrimination and economic hardship. The Games will leave a legacy of new and refurbished sports infrastructure in the region, offering opportunities for local residents to engage in sports and potentially overcome some of the barriers they face. However, critics argue that the investment may not be sufficient to address the underlying issues in these communities.
One of the key initiatives in Seine-Saint-Denis is the construction of a new 50-meter pool in Sevran, replacing an outdated facility. This upgrade is seen as a significant improvement for the town, which has faced economic challenges since the closure of factories in the 1990s. The mayor of Sevran hopes that the Olympics will bring long-lasting benefits to the region and create opportunities for its residents beyond the duration of the Games.
Despite concerns about security and potential disruptions during the Games, Paris has managed its costs more efficiently compared to previous host cities like Tokyo, Rio, and London. With a budget of close to 9 billion euros, the majority of which comes from sponsors and ticket sales, Paris’ expenses are lower than previous Games. However, the city still faces challenges related to security, transportation, and the potential impact on locals, including homeless individuals who may be displaced during the events.
Overall, while there are criticisms and concerns surrounding the Paris Olympics, many view the Games as an opportunity to bring people together and celebrate diversity. Volunteers like Ayaovi Atindehou believe that events like the Olympics have the power to unite individuals from different backgrounds and create a sense of camaraderie. As the Games approach, the world will be watching to see how Paris handles the challenges and opportunities that come with hosting such a prestigious international event.
