Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Unveiling the truth behind the failed promises regarding ticket pricing, financing, transportation and environmental impact

The Popularity of the Olympics in question #

One of the main concerns for the public has been the cost of tickets, which many deem too high, thereby tarnishing the promise of a popular Olympics catered to the masses. The organizers argue that the ticket prices are within the same range as those of the London Olympics but this has done little to appease the masses.

Further casting a shadow over the popularity of the Olympics is the unprecedented opening ceremony on the Seine, which has undergone significant changes. Originally intended to host 600,000 spectators, the number has been reduced to 222,000 due to security concerns. The selection of attendees is now by invitation, with priority given to those whose lives have been disrupted by the preparations for the Games.

The financing of the games #

Contrary to popular belief, the Olympics are primarily funded by private money. However, the slogan « The Games fund the Games » has been proven false as the French government and local authorities have had to contribute financially as well. As of autumn 2023, they had already invested over 2.4 billion euros in infrastructure, urban works, and other areas according to official documents. The total cost is yet to be determined and will include public security costs and bonuses for civil servants, especially the police.

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Despite the significant public investment, President Emmanuel Macron has insisted there will be no « Olympic tax ». However, there are significant Olympic-related expenses in the state’s accounts. The Court of Auditors has recently estimated that public investments could reach between « three » and « five billion euros ». The final figure will only be revealed after the Games.

From free metro to four-euro tickets #

The initial bid dossier promised that « all ticket holders could travel for free on the entire Île-de-France network ». This promise has been broken as a decision was made in December 2022 to introduce a special Olympic fare of 4 euros for a metro ticket, almost double the usual price.

This decision was part of the Organizing Committee’s budget revision aimed at making savings. Île-de-France Mobilities, which manages the region’s transportation, announced the increase in fare, citing the need to reinforce the frequency of lines by 15% during the Games.

No Olympic swimming in the Olympic pool #

The Olympic Aquatic Center (CAO) in Saint-Denis, one of the few sports facilities built specifically for the Paris Olympics, will not host the swimming events. The CAO, with its impressive wooden structure, will instead host water polo, diving, and synchronized swimming. Due to the risk of budget overrun, the building, which was built with public funds, had to be resized.

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Swimming, the king sport, was initially relocated to temporary pools adjacent to the CAO, and then finally to the west of Paris, at the Paris-La Défense Arena. The decision was part of an effort to control the budget.

• Promise of a popular Olympics compromised by high ticket prices
• State and local authorities forced to finance the Games despite initial promises
• Free travel for ticket holders replaced with a special Olympic fare
• Olympic Aquatic Center will not host the main swimming events due to budget constraints