For the 14,500 tenants (athletes and supervisors), it is in this village that the adventure of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games begins. Since the opening, it has already welcomed more than 8,000 occupants.
The Moroccan sports delegation began to flock to the village on Thursday, helped by the operational teams of the Moroccan National Olympic Committee (CNOM), who ensure all the logistics relating to the movement of our athletes.
To this end, the CNOM has put in place a personalized system in favor of the Royal Moroccan Federations concerned, allowing athletes and their staff to travel to Paris from abroad or from Morocco.
At the same time, the CNOM teams carried out all the necessary procedures with the Paris 2024 organizing committee for the registration of the Moroccan sports delegation and its reception in the Olympic Village in the best conditions.
Within the village, which is only accessible to athletes and their technical staff, certain athletes did not hesitate to immortalize their first steps in this complex, which extends over the equivalent of 70 fields, on social networks. football.
345,000 is the total number of pieces of furniture dedicated to decorating the Village’s 2,800 apartments. Some of this furniture comes from recycling channels, notably poufs made from parachute fabric, tables made from 90% badminton shuttlecocks or even chairs and sofas made from Vauban barrier and extendable cardboard seats and beds. At the end of the Games, all of this furniture will find a second life.
The village is, moreover, planned to adapt to the climatic conditions of 2050, with 6 hectares of green spaces, revegetation (streets, balconies, roofs), recovery and treatment of wastewater for irrigation, cooling floors or triple glazing. Everything has been designed for better thermal comfort and to guarantee a temperature at least 6°C below the outside temperature for athletes and future residents. Yes, future residents, because this complex emerged from the ground in 6 years of work, it will be transformed into 2,800 new housing units (2,000 families, 800 students). All for a total capacity of 6,000 inhabitants.
A real small town where the atmosphere remains relaxed for the moment before serious things begin, the Olympic village is a real anthill.
Made up of 80 buildings, it houses a polyclinic, training rooms, a post office, a bus station and a restaurant, the largest in the world, open 24 hours a day, with 500 recipes which will be served and prepared by 200 cooks every day .
For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, a crèche finds its place within the Village where athlete parents can look after and reunite with their children. The organizers have also installed a mini market, wellness and entertainment areas.
The budget for organizing the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024 should amount to 11.8 billion euros, financed almost entirely (96%) by private revenue, in particular from the International Olympic Committee, partner companies, Games ticketing and licenses.
This budget was used to finance all aspects related to the planning, organization and delivery of the Games: rental, development and operation of venues, organization of competitions, reception of delegations, accommodation and transport of athletes, security of the venues competition, opening and closing ceremonies.
What innovative sustainability practices are being implemented in the Paris 2024 Olympic village?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Olympic Village Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, everyone, to our special interview about the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Today, we have with us Dr. Maria Lefevre, an expert on sustainable sports infrastructure and planning. Dr. Lefevre, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Maria Lefevre (ML): Thank you for having me! It’s exciting to discuss the developments around the Olympic village for the upcoming Games.
TNE: Let’s dive right in. The Olympic village is bustling with activity, having already welcomed over 8,000 occupants. What does this type of preparation look like from an organizational standpoint, particularly with the Moroccan sports delegation arriving recently?
ML: The logistics behind moving thousands of athletes and their support teams into a village is massive. The Moroccan National Olympic Committee has set up a personalized transportation system, which really emphasizes how crucial tailored logistics can be. They’ll ensure that everything runs smoothly, from their arrival in Paris right through to their registration and settling in.
TNE: Absolutely, it’s a monumental effort. Speaking of the village, it’s fascinating to see how it’s designed, not only for comfort but with sustainability in mind. Can you elaborate on the innovative furniture choices being used in the apartments?
ML: Definitely! The Olympic village is showcasing an impressive commitment to sustainability. They’ve utilized around 345,000 pieces of furniture, much of which comes from innovative recycling methods. For instance, they’ve created poufs from parachute fabric and tables made from 90% recycled badminton shuttlecocks. This not only minimizes waste but also adds a unique character to the living spaces.
TNE: That’s incredible! And I understand this concept of recycling furniture aligns with the overall vision for the village. Can you talk about the emphasis on the climate and how the village plans to adapt to environmental changes by 2050?
ML: Yes, the Paris 2024 Olympic village is pioneering in its design focusing on future climate resilience. With 6 hectares of green spaces and extensive revegetation, they’re enhancing biodiversity while providing athletes with a serene living environment. Additionally, features such as cooling floors and triple glazing will mitigate heat, thus ensuring comfortable living conditions even as climate conditions change.
TNE: This is indeed forward-thinking. I imagine that these sustainable practices not only enhance the experience for athletes but could also set a precedent for future sporting events globally.
ML: Exactly! This movement toward sustainability in the Olympic village can influence future planning not just for sports, but also urban development in general. It’s a message that sustainable practices can be integrated effectively into large-scale events.
TNE: Before we wrap up, what do you think is the most significant challenge the organizers face as they prepare for the Games?
ML: One significant challenge is balancing the operational logistics for such a massive influx of people while ensuring sustainability standards are met. Coordination between various national committees, logistical teams, and the local government needs to be seamless. The pressure is especially high as the world looks to Paris as a model for future Olympic events.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Lefevre, for sharing these insights with us! It’s clear that the Paris 2024 Olympic village is much more than just a place for athletes to stay; it’s a blueprint for the future of sustainable events.
ML: Thank you for having me! The future of sports and our environment is intertwined, and it’s a thrilling time to be part of this evolution.
TNE: And thank you to our viewers for joining us. Stay tuned for more updates as we count down to the Paris 2024 Olympics!