Paris Olympics 2024 organisers insists lessons learned from Champions League final
According to The Athletic's report, the executive director of the Olympic Games stated that many valuable insights were gained from the organizing committee that caused issues during the 2022 Champions League competition in Paris.
Christophe Dubi, who is in charge of the 2024 Paris Olympics, has assured everyone that the issues that occurred during the Liverpool and Real Madrid match, which was organized by UEFA, will not happen during the upcoming Olympics. There are less than 100 days left until the event and Dubi is very confident that spectators will have a smooth and positive experience.
During the game, it was complete pandemonium as supporters attempted to gain entry into the Stade de France. A ticketing system and security operation that was not properly coordinated led to hazardous crowding in the area surrounding the stadium. In addition, police officers utilized tear gas on several fans and the start of the match was postponed for half an hour. After the game ended, many devotees encountered unexpected assaults from gangs in the vicinity.
UEFA conducted an analysis and released a report on February 2023 that drew parallels between the events that occurred in Paris and those that transpired during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final in Hillsborough. The latter resulted in the death of 97 Liverpool supporters due to overcrowding. According to the report, the fact that there were no fatalities during the Paris incident was surprising and commendable.
Dubi mentioned that Paris faced a number of issues leading up to the final due to changes in venue, with St Petersburg being exchanged at the last minute. There were numerous construction projects affecting the city's transit system, and a lack of coordination amongst different security forces caused additional challenges. Nonetheless, it was an impressive feat that the final was able to be held in Paris despite these hurdles.
Football enthusiasts remember the mayhem that occurred during the Champions League final: 'He struck me with a hammer'.
To avoid a similar situation from occurring again, he clarified that the security forces will be better coordinated and the tactical plan for the area around Stade de France will be modified to prevent overcrowding in certain streets and tunnels.
According to Dubi, the events that occurred that night have prompted a change in the way different groups of people will interact in Paris this summer. Consequently, visitors should expect to witness a completely different program of activities.
In another location, Dubi expressed their strong commitment to having the opening ceremony by the River Seine, despite conflicting information about backup options.
Dubi, the executive director of the Olympic Games, has been making headlines lately. He is an important figure in the world of sports and has been receiving attention for his role in organizing the upcoming Olympic Games. His name has been mentioned in various news articles and reports, highlighting his impact on the global sports community. Dubi's work is very significant and noteworthy, and it is essential to acknowledge the hard work and dedication that he brings to his job. We are eagerly anticipating his next moves and excited to see what he will bring to the upcoming Olympic Games.
Recently, the officials of Paris announced that they won't cancel the water event and had no backup plan in place. But, on Monday, Emmanuel Macron declared that there are backup plans - Plan B and Plan C - in case the procession on the river poses security threats.
The president of France stated that they plan on holding a ceremony that would be restricted to the Trocadero area only, rather than encompassing the entire Seine. Alternatively, they may opt to hold the ceremony at the Stade de France.
However, when questioned about this matter, Dubi stated that the IOC had not talked about other locations with the organizing committee.
Right now, we're discussing the River Seine and any modifications that could be made to it. However, we haven't delved into the details of a backup plan if our current plans fall through.
He stated, "Our offer is truly remarkable and will amaze people worldwide. The news regarding the events in Paris on Friday, July 26 has been impossible to miss. Therefore, we are providing something that is exceptional and available to the entire world."
Regarding the Seine, Dubi was sure that the river will be pure enough to allow swimming and triathlon events. Since 1923, it has been illegal to swim in the Seine, but planners aim to set up three designated areas for bathing in the river before 2025. To minimize the negative impact of excessive waste discharge during rainstorms, a new storage reservoir worth millions of dollars is being constructed near the river.
The trial run for the Olympic Games for the sport of triathlon, which is scheduled to take place in 2023, occurred on the River Seine. This event was documented by Emmanual Dunand of AFP through Getty Images.
Despite receiving criticism from notable individuals such as Seb Coe, who holds the position of president at World Athletics, Dubi stood by the ticket prices and defended their value.
Lord Coe cautioned that the exorbitant prices might lead to vacant seats at the Stade de France. The Category First seats would cost around €990 (equivalent to £850), while Category A-D tickets would range from €85 to €690 or €195 to €385.
Dubi replied by saying that on a flight from Geneva to New York, some people pay a smaller amount, around 500 dollars, while others in the front of the plane pay much more, up to 10,000 francs. This pricing strategy is similar to the one used for the Olympics and athletics. Many affordable tickets are available for the Games, with one million tickets priced at €24 and 50% of all tickets under €50. However, some tickets will be priced above €50, making up the remaining five million tickets.
In France, a typical price for a concert is likely to be between €80 and €100 Euros, correct? Therefore, if you purchase a ticket for either €24 or €50 at the athletics stadium, you are guaranteed to have an incredible experience on that night. Admittedly, there are some who are willing to pay a premium price, which is understandable. This is done to ensure that the Games continue to be accessible to the wider public. Some individuals are even willing to pay up to €1,000 or more for VIP treatment. However, this is necessary to maintain the integrity of the event and ensure that everyone has a chance to participate.
Dubi mentioned that when you take inflation into consideration, ticket prices are similar to those in London. Moreover, some of the tickets are being distributed by government agencies, and there will also be some spontaneous and unexpected ticket releases.
The Olympic Games are approaching in just 100 days - but is Paris sufficiently prepared?
The blog section will be rephrased using distinct vocabulary and sentence structure. Illustration credit to Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images
