Iconic Paris landmarks are getting ready to shine for the Olympic Games
Picture by Olympics.com
Paris is teeming with historical buildings and monuments with each one more impressive than the last, but this summer temporary structures are stealing the show.
The Dôme des Invalides, the Luxor Obelisk at la Concorde and the sculptures of the Pont Alexandre III are now surrounded by stands that will host thousands of international spectators for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
But the best is yet to come.
Constructing Olympic venues in some of most iconic places of the French capital was surely one of the most daunting tasks for the organising committee to navigate, but with most of the work now complete, they are now reaping their rewards.
“From the top of the stands, the judges will have to choose between watching the athletes' performances or admiring the Eiffel Tower”, said Mathieu Collet, the event general manager of the Urban Park La Concorde, with a laugh.
Of all the venues located in the heart of Paris, the Iron Lady is visible from most of stands at the Urban Park. It is as astonishing feat.
With 50 days to go until the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, let's take a look at how some of the most iconic venues of the Games are taking shape.
Hundreds of people are working to showcase and protect historical monuments in Paris
La Concorde is a hive of activity.
On this huge square that measures 7.6 hectares, the biggest in Paris, four separate Olympic venues are in construction to host 3x3 Basketball, BMX Freestyle, Breaking and Skateboarding.
Trucks are arriving frequently, between 100 and 250 workers are on site daily, and stands are growing. Fast.
Earlier this week the structure to carry the roof of the 3x3 Basketball and Breaking venue was elevated for the first time. It seems almost impossible, but just a few days ago cars were driving through La Concorde to reach the nearby Champs-Élysées with three of the four venues already completed.
The nearby Luxor Obelisk is over 3,000 years old and for the first time since its installation in the 1830s, the 23m-high monument is no longer head and shoulders above its surroundings.
Stands measuring up to 14m have been constructed for skateboarding and BMX Freestyle, while on the field of play ramps and various obstacles are taking shape.
But it's not just international sporting federations keeping a close eye on its construction. These venues, after all, are being built on a historical site.
“We've worked with the city to highlight its architectural heritage, but also to protect it," said Lucas Prado, the head of project for venues in the centre of Paris. "When we get close to a monument, we take great care."
For La Concorde, discussions have already been held with architects to preserve the symmetry of the square. This is how meticulous the work to turn iconic landscapes into Olympic venues has become.
Similar talks has also taken place at Invalides. On each side of the Avenue du Maréchal Gallieni, two stands that will each hold 4,000 spectators have already been constructed. The perspective along the side of the Hotel des Invalides is simply breathtaking.
Here, in less than two months, Archery, Road Cyling and the arrival of both Marathons will take place.
Just behind the protecting wall of the field that will be used for the individual ranking round in archery stands the Pont Alexandre III. In less than a month, busy Parisian traffic has been replaced by a 600-seater capacity stand.
From here, the panoramic view of Paris is stunning, with Triathlon and Marathon Swimming taking place in the distance.
'The most difficult part is now complete'
There is just 50 days to go until the Olympic Games Paris 2024 gets underway and everything is going according to plan.
“We're on track with the schedule," Paris 2024 Chief Executive Officer Etienne Thobois told Olympics.com." The structural work, the most difficult part, is now complete."
With every detail taken into account in order for Paris 2024 to be ready on time, it appears enthusiasm for the Games is now growing as fast as the venues.
People who passed by were curious to see what was taking place, with many asking questions about its construction.
With the days ticking down until the action gets underway, the questions will surely soon turn to sport and who will become Olympic champion at these iconic venues.
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