Paris 2024

Culture, security and employment, the other legacy of Paris 2024

— Published on April 10, 2025

The legacy of the Games is now a central issue. In this regard, Paris 2024 is an example according to The report presented by the Île-de-France region, the police headquarters and the Ministry of Sports. "Six months after the closing of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the State can already measure the positive impact of a historic event across the country, both in sporting and societal terms.", the authorities of the Ile-de-France region are pleased. A legacy that goes well beyond infrastructure.

Sports clubs and hotels on the front line

More than 1.000 facilities have been funded between 2022 and 2024 in the Île-de-France region: construction or renovation of swimming pools, creation of multi-sports halls, etc. Nothing is lost, everything is transformed, like the sand from the Eiffel Tower stadium, reused to create beach volleyball courts in Seine-Saint-Denis and Val-d'Oise. The reconversion of the athletes' village and the media village will create 4.100 new housing units in Seine-Saint-Denis, including social housing and specific housing for students, the elderly, and women victims of violence. In terms of transport, 120 kilometers of cycle paths have appeared and accessibility has been improved in 34 stations on the Île-de-France rail network. In addition, 59 of the 61 bus lines are now considered accessible.

Sports associations in the Île-de-France region have also recorded a significant increase in the number of licenses (nearly 71.000 more as of December 31, 2024). The adapted sports federation has seen spectacular growth (+35% of licensees). Federations not represented at the Summer Olympics have also benefited from this enthusiasm, with a 6,2% increase in the number of licensees. This is an essential legacy in terms of public health and sports culture, although it should be qualified. Arnaud Assoumani, patron of the Olympic and Paralympic Week, made a point of addressing, last month, "A very big red card to the government and the MPs who voted for the 35% reduction in the sports budget"The drop is ultimately less severe than expected, but the athlete was moved, like many others, by the speed with which the tap was turned off, recalling the need not to make sport a simple adjustment variable.

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games also generated, according to the Banque de France, a 0,25% increase in GDP in the Île-de-France region during the third quarter of 2024. Between October and December 2024, the number of overnight stays in the Île-de-France hotel sector reached 23,7 million, an average increase of 4,8% compared to the previous year. In January and February 2025, the total number of overnight stays increased by a further 12% in Greater Paris. "The economic impact is also tangible, with 330 million euros for local businesses and more than 2.000 integration contracts thanks to the connection between state services.", insists Sports Minister Marie Barsacq.

Museums not forgotten, nor job seekers

A less obvious benefit at first glance, the Olympic Games have allowed “an exceptional showcase for Parisian monuments and museums”, driving a dynamic "significant" in the cultural sector. The National Museum of the History of Immigration and the Château de Chantilly thus broke their historic attendance records in 2024. "The 15 establishments of the Paris Musées de la Ville de Paris network thus welcomed more than 2024 million visitors in 4,8, i.e. +6,79% compared to 2022.", the report highlights. On the employment front, the authorities are pleased that 96% of the 30.000 job seekers recruited for the Games now have a stable position, in private security, catering or cleaning/waste management.

The Games also left a strong mark in terms of operational security measures. "Security inspection and clearance protocols have been improved, and queue positioning and security checks have been reviewed.", and these methods were able to be implemented again during the reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame Cathedral in December. Many police command rooms were also renovated to improve the management of law enforcement. "We have lived up to the promises made during the bid phase to secure the 2024 Games and it was no small feat., says Marie Barsacq. This heritage was built to meet needs.” Not forgetting the wonderful memories left to the French and the whole world. “An extremely important emotional legacy, concludes the minister, to which we are very attached."