The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Bid Committee has announced its support to a newly-unveiled €300 million funding project to upgrade the Eiffel Tower, the French capital’s iconic centrepiece.
The fifteen-year plan proposed by Mayor Anne Hidalgo will see the city of Paris modernise ticketing facilities, improve visitor experience and upgrade security at the historic monument, which is set to play a central role in the city’s bid for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Beach volleyball competitions will be played at the foot of the world’s most recognised monument if Paris earns the honour of hosting the Games after 100 years. The Eiffel Tower will also host the start of the triathlon and open water swimming events, while the proposed road cycling and marathon routes will both take in the famous tower.
Already the most visited tourist landmark in the world, Mayor Anne Hidalgo believes that upgrades will help to attract more cultures and nationalities to Paris than ever before.
The city currently invests around €13.7 million ($14.5 million) per year on the upkeep of the Eiffel Tower, but the plans propose this be upgraded to an annual €20 million ($21 million).
The finalised proposals will be submitted for approval to the city council at the end of February.
France has a long history of hosting some of the world’s largest and most successful sporting events and at 2016’s UEFA European Championships, the Eiffel Tower provided an iconic backdrop to the action, with the country’s largest fan-zone sitting directly at its base and hosting around 1.2 million people during the tournament.
As with Euro 2016, the Tower will feature at the heart of Paris’ compact, city-centre venue concept in 2024, where stunning landmarks will blend seamlessly with an innovative, shareable Games.
Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, said:
"The Eiffel Tower is an iconic French landmark, and it represents much of what Paris stands for. It is a means of welcoming the world to our city, as a reminder of our heritage and as a symbol of our future.
"The plans to upgrade the Tower show the appetite we have to continue to develop our famous city. As we look ahead to Paris 2024, the Eiffel Tower will play a central role in both the bidding process and the Games themselves, and this significant investment will assist us on that journey.
"These upgrades will highlight the Tower even further, to make it a flawless showcase of the Parisian welcome."
Paris 2024 co-chairman, Bernard Lapasset, added:
"85% of our proposed venues can be seen from the Eiffel Tower, and with Beach Volleyball to be played directly beneath it, the Tower is set to be at the very heart of our vision for 2024.
"This Olympics will centre on blending Paris’ historic landmarks with an innovative, modern Games, and this development symbolises that idea.
"We are thrilled that these plans to update the Eiffel Tower coincide with our journey towards 2024 and we are looking forward to following the upgrades as they take place."
For more information, please contact:
Raphaël Leclerc
Paris 2024 Bid Committee
Email: rleclerc@paris2024.org
Tel: +33 6 73 16 88 06
Sujit Jasani
VERO Communications
Email: sjasani@verocom.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)207 812 6589 / +44 (0)7940 375 282
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