The Paris Olympics: A Success Story in the Making?
The 17-day-long Paris Olympics has finally come to a close, leaving behind a mix of triumphs and challenges. With hundreds of medals won and a lifetime of glory to follow, the event has showcased the world’s top athletes in 32 different sports, attracting millions of visitors. But was it a success? Let’s dive into the details.
Paris’s Struggles
Before the Games, Paris aimed to make history by hosting the "greenest" Olympics to date, turning to renewable energy sources, plant-based foods, and rented sports equipment. However, the city faced a series of challenges, including cost overruns. The estimated cost of the Games reached $10 billion, exceeding the planned budget by 25%. This is not as severe as the overruns seen in Sochi (2014) or Rio (2016), but still reflects the difficulties cities face when hosting the Olympics.
The event was also marred by a few hiccups, such as the opening ceremony being affected by heavy rains, out-of-sync filming, and controversial acts. The Seine River, which was used for open-water swimming events, was contaminated until just before the Games, and athletes began falling sick after swimming in it. Additionally, the city’s efforts to limit the number of new locations built to keep costs and carbon emissions under control led to accusations of "social cleansing" as hundreds of people living near the Olympic Village were relocated.
The 3 Features of an Olympic Success
So, what does it take for the Olympics to be successful? Ken Hanscom, who has attended four Olympic Games, identified three key elements:
- Staying within budget: While Paris didn’t quite achieve this, it did help cap some of the big infrastructural and operational spending. The city plans to repurpose the Olympic Village units for housing after the Games, which could provide a long-term benefit.
- Strong local participation: A large number of spectators were French, which helped to create a lively atmosphere. This is crucial for the success of the Games, as it shows that the local community is engaged and invested in the event.
- A good show for in-person and TV viewers: The Paris Olympics put on a good show, with the opening ceremony becoming the most-watched event on French TV. Data shows that viewership figures have been up globally.
Conclusion
Despite the challenges faced by Paris, the city has made significant progress in hosting the Games. The Olympics have a way of generating a positive "leverage effect," allowing cities to make changes that might take decades to implement otherwise. The world is eagerly watching how the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics will do better by the tournament and its legacy. For now, it’s optimistic to think that the idea of a successful iteration of the Games is evolving, slowly but surely.
FAQs
Q: What was the estimated cost of the Paris Olympics?
A: The estimated cost of the Paris Olympics was $10 billion, exceeding the planned budget by 25%.
Q: What were some of the challenges faced by Paris during the Games?
A: Some of the challenges faced by Paris included cost overruns, a few hiccups during the opening ceremony, contamination of the Seine River, and accusations of "social cleansing" as hundreds of people living near the Olympic Village were relocated.
Q: What are the three key elements of an Olympic success?
A: According to Ken Hanscom, the three key elements of an Olympic success are staying within budget, strong local participation, and a good show for in-person and TV viewers.
Q: How will the Paris Olympics impact the city’s legacy?
A: The Paris Olympics have generated a positive "leverage effect," allowing the city to make changes that might take decades to implement otherwise. The city plans to repurpose the Olympic Village units for housing after the Games, which could provide a long-term benefit.
Author: fortune.com
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