The Olympic Village in Saint-Denis, France, opened its doors to the first athletes on Thursday, marking a significant milestone ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach was present to tour the expansive 134-acre village, which will host approximately 10,500 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team.
“Finally, we are here. It has been a long journey these seven years, but it has been a hugely rewarding one. We have a wonderful Olympic Village, and all the ingredients for a great Olympic Games are here,” Bach said on Thursday. “The venues are not only breathtaking, they are of the highest standard. You feel how the enthusiasm in France is growing, and I hope you have the same feeling.”
Joining Bach on the tour were Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet and IOC Coordination Commission Chair Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant, as they inspected the facilities.
The design of the Olympic Village reflects Paris 2024’s commitment to sustainability, featuring solar panels and green roofs across the athletes’ accommodations. The village’s construction aligns with the goal of making the 2024 Games the “most responsible and sustainable games in history.”
After the Paralympics conclude on September 8, the village’s 82 buildings will be repurposed into office spaces for 6,000 workers and apartments for another 6,000 residents. This transformation aims to revitalize the historically impoverished northern suburbs of Paris.
The village is strategically located at the crossroads of three suburbs: Saint-Denis, known for its diverse, working-class population and past struggles with crime; the rapidly gentrifying Saint-Ouen; and Ile-Saint-Denis, an island on the Seine River.
Organizers have committed to setting aside 32% of the new homes in Saint-Denis and Saint-Ouen, and 48% of those in Ile-Saint-Denis, for public housing. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address housing shortages and provide more affordable living options.
The 2024 Summer Olympics’ Opening Ceremony is scheduled for July 26, with the Games running through August 11. The event is anticipated to bring a significant boost to the local economy and leave a lasting legacy for the host city.
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