Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games’ unity-evoking slogan revealed

The slogan for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been revealed as ‘Games Wide Open’ (Ouvrons Grand les Jeux) during a press conference yesterday (July 25) in which further details on tickets were also announced.

The slogan is “an invitation to the world to come and experience new emotions together,” Paris 2024 states.

“Games that are more responsible, inclusive, equal and spectacular than ever.”

A video unveiling the slogan was also released depicting several iconic moments from past games. In one scene, US sprinter Jesse Owens’, who won four gold medals at the 1936 games, is compared to Marianne, the national personification of France.

Another scene shows the moment former health minister Simone Veil approved the law to legalise abortion in France, which came into effect in 1975.

This is most probably a dig at the US after a recent supreme court ruling there re-introduced the possibilty for individual states to ban abortions.

Read more: France proposes bill to enshrine right to abortion in constitution

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will take place between July 26 and August 11, while the Paralympic Games will run between August 28 and September 8.

Ticket prices, from €24 to €950

A total of 10 million tickets will be put up for sale for the Olympic Games, and around 3.4 million for the Paralympic Games

The tickets will cost a minimum of €24, regardless of the sport or event. The full price list will be revealed in December but the Paris 2024 games committee has already stated that tickets for the most coveted events, such as the 100m sprint final, could go up to €950.

Tickets for these popular events will start at €120 and the organisers have said that one third of the tickets sold for these events will cost €200 or less.

Individual tickets will go on sale from May 2023 for the Olympic Games and from autumn 2023 for the Paralympic Games. The last individual tickets will be available at the end of 2023.

Spectators will also be able to buy ticket bundles giving them access to three or more events. These bundles will cost at least €72.

These bundles will be on sale between December 1 this year and January 31, 2023. Once that period closes people will still be able to enter a lucky draw to buy ticket bundles in February.

Read more: Paris 2024 Olympic Games: How to get tickets and what they will cost

Free tickets

The French government will buy up 400,000 tickets that it will then distribute for free to school children – particularly those aged under 16, volunteers who help at the event, people with disabilities and their carers and other civil servants who help with the organisation of the event.

No ‘Olympic Games tax’

Cities that host the Olympic and Paralympic Games have often in the past found themselves facing huge debts as they fail to cover the massive expenditure needed to put on ceremonies, build stadiums, staff the events, etc.

French President Emmanuel Macron addressed this issue in an interview with sports daily L'Équipe, saying, “the Games must finance the Games”.

One third of the €4billion budget set aside for the events will be covered by partners and sponsors, a third by the International Olympic Committee and a third by ticket sales.

Mr Macron said there will be no extra tax for citizens to cover the cost of Paris hosting the events.

Like almost everything else, the 2024 Olympic preparations have been affected by the current high inflation rate.

Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra stated today (July 26) that the initial budget had been based on an inflation rate of 1.4%, much lower than the 5.8% currently being seen.

“There are obviously some adjustments to be made,” she said.

Security

Mr Macron also spoke about security at the events, a pertinent topic after chaotic scenes before the Champions League Final in Paris in May this year in which fans were tear gassed and blocked from entering the stadium despite having tickets.

Read more: Stade de France chaos an ‘inevitable fiasco’ says French Senate

Read more: Change Olympic opening plans, warns Paris football final investigator

Mr Macron said that he wants France to be able to ensure the opening ceremony and the Games are secure, while also maintaining reserve forces to deal with the possibility of other incidents happening elsewhere, “such as major fires or a terrorist attack”.

“That means we have to have reserves and not mobilise everyone,” he said.

During the Games, 7,000-11,000 police officers will be mobilised each day, depending on the events taking place.

Some 17,500 security officers will also be trained ahead of the Olympics.

Transport and strike risks

Mr Macron said that “everything would be done” to limit the risk of strikes or social action during the Games.

France’s transport services have been heavily disrupted in recent months with strikes by rail workers and airport staff.

Read more: Strike at Bordeaux Airport leaves 40% flights cancelled today

Read more: Driving scams, train ticket waiting list: Nine France travel updates

Mr Macron said: “I have confidence in the spirit of responsibility of those whose very job it is to serve the public.”

He also spoke about improving bus and taxi services in Paris but said that it would be much harder to adapt the métro before the 2024 Games.

After having held a “site meeting” with ministers and representatives from the world of sport on the progress of preparations yesterday (July 25), President Macron has promised to do the same at the end of October.

Find out more about the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the official website here.

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