Compact and Pragmatic Design
Thomas Bach, the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), expressed his contentment with the progress of the Olympic Village for the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Games. Bach, an Olympic gold medallist in fencing for West Germany, stated that being in an Olympic Village is always a special moment for athletes. He described the Village, set to accommodate 14,500 athletes and staff, as “really spectacular” and commended its compact and pragmatic design.
Olympic Chief Expresses Satisfaction
The Olympic Village, covering the equivalent of 70 football pitches, received positive feedback for its design and functionality. Bach, accompanied by Tony Estanguet, the chief organizer of the 2024 Paris Olympics, noted the satisfaction of the entire IOC executive board with the Village’s progress. Estanguet assured that the project is on schedule, with the completion expected by the end of December and the handover of keys scheduled for early March.
Integration with the City
The Village, located in the northern suburbs of Paris, will house athletes during the July 26-August 11 Olympics and later host 9,000 athletes for the Paralympic Games. After the events, it will become an integral part of the surrounding city, benefiting the people in Seine-Saint-Denis. Estanguet expressed confidence that there would be no surprises in the completion process.
Transport Challenges and Metro Ticket Prices
Addressing concerns raised by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo about transportation readiness and homelessness issues, Bach emphasized unity with the organizing committee. Valerie Pecresse, head of the Paris region’s transport authority, defended the decision to almost double metro ticket prices during the Paris Olympics. Pecresse argued that the increased cost, not borne by Paris region residents, was fair and necessary to cover expenses.
High Medal Ambitions for France
Looking ahead to France’s performance in the Olympics, Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera set an ambitious goal for the country to finish in the top five in the overall medal table. While acknowledging uncertainties, the minister expressed optimism, citing statistics that indicate a host country tends to multiply its Olympic titles. With France aiming for a significant medal haul, the goal is set high, and the anticipation builds as the country prepares to host the prestigious event on home soil.
SOURCE: Ref Image from NDTV SPORT
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