Paris News: Paris 2024 was a huge success!

The big event of the century
Paris 2024 has concluded with great success.
The Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games
With the intention of "one tournament without distinction,"
The official name was Paris 2024.

What can be inferred from this name is that
These are lofty goals, such as inclusion and sustainability.
No new stadiums will be built,
Showing that "it is possible to hold a big event without putting a burden on the environment,"
It was a wonderful tournament that aimed to pass on that know-how as a legacy to the next generation.
Speaking of legacy and heritage,
Do politicians do it to make a name for themselves?
They tend to build structures that cannot be used later and for which they cannot afford the maintenance costs.

However, France, as a country of revolution, focused on creating know-how rather than on technology. The symbol of that revolution, the Bonnet Frijan (red hat),
I'm sure you all know that he has been appointed as Paris 2024's mascot, "Frige."



Just before and during Paris 2024,
I am a media consulting group based in Paris.
Through Press Igrek Co., Ltd., I was in charge of local coordinating for Japanese media.

One was a news program covering anti-terrorism measures at the unusual opening ceremony held on the Seine River.
The other is the Paris live broadcast by RKB Mainichi Broadcasting in Fukuoka.
French people responding to street interviews
Both young people and older people "have confidence in the nation's security measures."
I still remember him saying with confidence, "I think these Olympics will be a great success!"



But until the event,
Even I, a foreigner, was worried about what would happen to France!

A month before the opening ceremony, a far-right government won the European Commission elections.
I was so shocked that I wondered if the France I had seen and lived in up until then had been an illusion.
A neighbor I thought was a friend
It felt like everyone actually hated foreigners.

President Macron then dissolved the French National Assembly and called general elections.
There was incredible chaos right up until the opening ceremony of the Olympics.



As someone who experienced the whole thing on site, I can say that the people of this country are resilient in the face of adversity.
Just when it seemed they were divided, they desperately came together,
That coalition party won over the far right.

I was so relieved, thinking, "Wow, the French did it!", but then it started raining on the day of the opening ceremony...
After all, things don't happen like dreams, do they?
I felt disheartened, but the French people did not give up and came together.

Both the performers and the viewers
They all came together to create that huge spectacle. The energy was incredible!



In the first place, the Place de la Concorde was used as the venue for the games.
They built spectator stands on the Pont Alexandre III.
To achieve this, the transportation network will be stopped.
In other words, the choice to paralyze urban functions
For example, could this be done in Japanese cities?
When you think about it, it makes sense what a difficult feat France has accomplished.

Thanks to this, many beautiful landscapes never seen before were born.
The Paralympic Silent Football Venue with the Eiffel Tower in the background,
While watching the Olympic flame floating in the night sky,
I was impressed and thought, "The French are truly amazing, being able to create so many beautiful images."

As I walked through the city decorated with flags in gradations of pink and blue, purple and green, I truly felt like I was standing in a landscape that people will see 100 years from now.
Among the images and videos that will be passed down to future generations for centuries to come,
Now I'm walking.


↑Silent Soccer Stadium


↑ The Porte de Versailles Exhibition Center was used as the Paris South Arena, where volleyball and table tennis competitions were held.


↑The stairs of Montmartre will also be painted in Paris 2024 colors

Now that Paris 2024 is over, it's now autumn in Paris.
I learned a lot from Paris 2024.
In the hearts of the French people
It will live on as a cherished memory forever.

Until next time,
Avianto!