Preparations are currently underway for the gardens of the Versailles Palace to host equestrian and modern pentathlon events during this summer’s Paris Games. The temporary facilities, including grandstands, are being built across the park, with up to 40,000 people expected to attend the cross-country part of the event. The main arena will hold over 16,000 seated spectators for the dressage and showjumping competitions, offering a view of the palace that was once home to Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette. Anne Murac, in charge of the Versailles site for the Paris 2024 organizing committee, expressed the honor and respect felt for organizing such an event in such an iconic venue.
On the western side of the park, temporary stables with air conditioning need to be built, while a track with both grass and sand surfaces has already been set up for horses to warm up before the competition. The 5-kilometer cross-country path is also carefully being prepared, with the ground worked deeply for sand and drainage to ensure consistency and the safety of horses and riders. Pontoon bridges, water obstacles, and a newly created pond in the shape of the royal lily are part of the preparations. The integration of sports and culture aims to promote French heritage, combining tradition with modern sport.
The sites for the 5 events of the modern pentathlon will be located in the Versailles Palace gardens, offering a beautiful backdrop for the horse trials. Christophe Leribault, Versailles Palace President, noted the presence of horses in the palace’s iconography through paintings, sculptures, and fountains, making it a wonderful meeting of old tradition and modern sport. After the conclusion of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, all temporary facilities will be removed, the soil will be reinstated, and the grass will be reseeded to restore the area to its original state.
The palace will remain open to the public during the Games, allowing visitors to witness the historical venue being transformed into a modern sporting spectacle. The melding of heritage and athleticism in such a prestigious setting is a testament to the organizers’ dedication to showcasing the rich history and culture of France. As the preparations continue, anticipation builds for the arrival of Olympic horse riders and tens of thousands of spectators to witness this unique and prestigious event at the historic Versailles Palace.
