Paris Olympics 2024: Residents question if it's worth the hassle
Is the affection of Paris dwellers for their own Olympic Games fading?
The end result may appear unavoidable following a string of negative reports in the past few weeks.
Suddenly, the city's Mayor, Anne Hidalgo, announced that the transportation for the upcoming summer Games wouldn't be prepared on time.
It was subsequently revealed that contrary to promises made in the Paris proposal for the Games, stating that competition ticket-holders would have free access to buses and metros, the fares will in fact be increased twofold during the six-week duration of the Olympics and Paralympics.
The chief of police disclosed that his safety strategy includes at least four distinct restricted areas surrounding each Olympic location. This led the leader of the hotel owners' association to comment that it was "so complex that it gives me a headache just by glancing at it".
An opinion survey conducted by Odoxa revealed that almost half of the residents living in the Paris region, known as Franciliens, currently believe the Games are not beneficial. The disapproval rate of 44% is twice as high as it was in 2021.
The identical survey discovered that more than half of the people living in the Paris metropolitan area were contemplating departing from the city for the entire period of the Games. "Attitudes towards the Games are hitting critical levels," was reported by Odoxa.
This doesn't even take into account the dispute with 230 dockside booksellers, also known as bouquinistes – who consider themselves protectors of historical Paris – who are opposing efforts to remove their stalls for the opening ceremony on July 26.
Undoubtedly, it's not difficult nowadays to discover Parisians who are more than willing to express their displeasure about the Games and everything associated with them.
"Evelyne, 65, announced that she will be casting her vote in the European elections on the morning of June 9, after which she will be leaving until September," she was found at Place de la Concorde, a location known for hosting a variety of events, including break-dancing, or 'le breaking' as the French charmingly term it.
"She asserts, "Paris will become intolerable. There will be no parking space; mobility will be a nightmare; everything will be a struggle. Madame Hidalgo has ruined Paris, and I have no desire to be associated with the Games."
"When will the police chief just request us Parisians to evacuate the city?" queried another resident on social media.
Naturally, during a typical year, Paris in July and August is deserted by a significant portion of its residents, who choose to stay in their secondary residences in rural areas or near the sea. This is why the city appears delightfully vacant to tourists.
The summer of 2024 is anticipated to have an extensive vacancy, largely owing to attractive offers on Airbnb and similar services. The rates for renting during the Games could be quadruple the usual, making it challenging to locate a Parisian who isn't at least pondering over the potential windfall.
There has always been a substantial group of French individuals who challenge the Games, arguing from a left-wing perspective that they're a massive misuse of funds and primarily benefit large corporations.
Now, everyone who thinks they will also be greatly inconvenienced is included.
Should the event coordinators be anxious? Likely no. The majority of the issues are either overstated or readily solvable. Besides, which significant event ever occurred without serious nerves in the preceding months?
Regarding transportation, Mayor Hidalgo definitely stirred up anxiety among Olympic enthusiasts with her alarming alerts about inadequate readiness.
Context is key here. The mayor is facing political challenges. Not only that, but she is also at odds with the sports minister and the conservative leader of the Ile-de-France region, who is in charge of suburban rail.
An anonymous Olympic insider revealed to Le Parisien newspaper recently, "Anne Hidalgo has consistently desired to claim these Games as her own. However, this is not within her responsibilities, nor does she possess the required funds. Thus, she constantly throws these jabs."
Indeed, there are concerns about the on-time completion of the RER E and Metro line 14 extensions, both of which are elements of the 20-year Greater Paris project. However, even if these projects do experience delays, it won't be a catastrophic event.
The Ile-de-France transport authority guarantees that, for the first time ever in the Games' history, attendees will have the opportunity to reach all events using public transportation.
The debate over the cost of transportation tickets isn't expected to deter Parisians from the Games. This is largely due to the fact that those Parisians holding monthly or annual passes won't be impacted. The financial burden of the additional Olympic buses and trains will primarily fall on the shoulders of tourists, who may not garner much sympathy.
The numerous police boundaries and the complex administrative processes for exceptions are indeed difficult to comprehend – a characteristic so typically French! Individuals will need to adapt and understand these. However, they were able to adapt to the yellow-vest demonstrations and the Covid limitations, so it's unlikely they won't be able to cope this time.
Regarding the bouquinistes, their claim that the actual motive of the authorities is to eliminate them is just not credible. These antiquarian book dealers may be cherished by the public, but they aren't going to halt the first-ever river-based opening of the Olympics.
Indeed, it's challenging to disagree with the seasoned French sportsperson and IOC member, Guy Drut, when he predicts that, "Trust me, as we approach the actual Games, we're going to see even more disputes."
Anticipate increased grumbling from the people of Paris in the upcoming months. Subsequently, a spectacular Games will ensue.
More information provided by Matthias Colboc
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