In its August 1 edition, the Wall Street Journal returned to what seemed to him to be “the biggest surprise of the Paris Olympics”: the fact that “even the French have nothing to complain about”. We can clearly see here the cliché of the grumpy Frenchman, never happy. A stereotype not so far from reality as “Paris 2024 bashing” was, for many months before the launch of the festivities, a national sport.
In good places on the podium, the extreme right which predicted “a new national humiliation” or even “Olympic Games without an audience” and the extreme left which denounced an “immense waste”. A contagious pessimism since, one hundred days before the event, for two thirds of the French it was synonymous, by choice, either with worries or indifference.
An enchanted interlude
At the end of the two weeks of competition, the atmosphere had changed. France had proven to the world – and especially to itself! – that it was still capable of successfully hosting a world-class event. Paris 2024 seemed to many French people like an enchanted interlude.
Indeed, beyond the national delegation’s medal record, the Olympic Games Organizing Committee (COJO) will have above all proven that public transport in working order, safe streets and a controlled budget are not impossible. Enough to make the French happy, who for decades have been expressing their concerns on these subjects with increasing anger and concern.
Indeed, for transport, the RATP and the SNCF have responded with more agents in stations to inform passengers, smooth traffic flow and thus avoid unnecessary delays and tensions. The irresponsible threats of some unions to want to spoil the party with strikes have ultimately not been followed by any effects.
Concerning security, there were great concerns in an extremely critical international context and while the Vigipirate plan is still at its maximum level today. Here too, the response was on a par with the event: 35,000 police officers and gendarmes and up to 20,000 private security agents were mobilized on average each day of the competition. Tourists and Parisians alike felt safe in the streets of the capital and were able to fully enjoy the party.
Heritage well highlighted
Finally, regarding the budget, the Cojo will submit its report in several months, but the strategy of focusing on existing sports infrastructure and temporary sites has made it possible to avoid unpleasant surprises at the end of construction sites and the explosion of bills that go with them. The successful development of French architectural, natural and cultural heritage, as well as the high visibility of French companies, suggest significant benefits in the coming years and give us hope for a positive economic outcome.
The Paralympic Games will require a somewhat different organization in a Paris now awake from its summer break. A final step before drawing up, once the adrenaline has subsided, the essential assessment of this edition to analyze the recipe for its success. However, we can already determine the first ingredients: rigorous preparation, the will to take up a challenge, teamwork.
Fundamentals that these Games will leave us as a legacy and that the French have clearly identified. Words that will be useful to all those who now wish that the exceptional finally becomes the norm and that what we have offered to the whole world for two weeks now benefits the French on a daily basis. A final Olympic challenge that is both essential and expected so that Paris 2024 becomes not only a page in the history of French sport but a real turning point for our country. The ultimate chance to overcome this incomprehensible paradox in the eyes of international observers: how a people envied throughout the world for their quality of life can want to perpetually call it into question to such an extent.
Jean-François Copé, former minister, mayor (LR) of Meaux
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