Le premier annual barometer of major sporting events was unveiled on Monday, July 7. Mathieu Hanotin, President of Territoires d'Événements Sportifs (TES), and Jean-Daniel Lévy, Deputy Director of Toluna Harris Interactive France, were at the helm to present the results of the survey conducted online from June 13 to 16, with a sample of 1047 people, representative of the French population. The results are positive and give reason for optimism, particularly in view of the 2030 Winter Games.
A boost for tourism and infrastructure
First lesson: 86% of French people believe that hosting major sporting events is a good thing for France. This position is particularly strong among 18-24 year-olds (93%) and 25-34 year-olds (88%). This opinion is shared similarly by men (87%) and women (86%). At the local level, 81% of French people say that GHGs are a good thing for their region. The most frequently cited reasons: economic development, improving sports infrastructure, attracting tourists, promoting the region's positive image, and job creation.
75% of French people believe that hosting major sporting events (GES) in France has a positive impact on tourist appeal and the provision of sports infrastructure. 72% believe that GES have a positive impact on promoting parasport, the development of physical activity and sports practice, and France's image abroad. However, opinions are less clear regarding the effects on employment (61% positive) and the environment (41%) at the national level.
More than half of French people say that the organization of major sporting events encourages them to engage in physical activity or play sports. This is a key point, given that the government has emphasized 30 minutes of daily physical activity in schools. However, this incentive remains more limited among those aged 50 and over and among people who do not already engage in physical activity or sport. Men (63%) are more likely to agree than women (49%), and positive responses decrease with age: 81% of 18-24 year-olds say they are encouraged to sweat, compared to only 50% of 64-47 year-olds and only 65% of those over 40.
A positive image of Paris 2024
Respondents say they enjoy watching sports on television (64%) more than attending sports events in person (49%). There are clear variations across age groups: 60% of those under 35 enjoy experiencing the sport on site. Another interesting element in the context of future events: more than half of French people say they are interested in setting up a celebration site, such as a fan zone, near their homes – particularly young people.
One year later, 83% of French people have a positive image of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Three out of four French people would even like the country to organize major events like the Games again. For Mathieu Hanotin, " These results clearly demonstrate the power of major sporting events to bring the French people together. They generate enthusiasm and support across all social categories, ages and regions. " Indeed, the French say they are overwhelmingly in favor of hosting the 2030 Winter Games in the French Alps (76%). This will delight the organizing committee, which has been criticized by some at the local level.
