— Published on December 21, 2025

The European City of Sport label, "recognition of the success of the Games" in Saint-Denis

Paris 2024

The label "European City of Sport 2026" was awarded to 21 cities across the continent at a ceremony organized by ACES (Association of European Capitals and Cities of Sport) in Brussels. Among them was Saint-Denis. An award to be placed in the post-Paris 2024 context, since the city hosted events as well as part of the Olympic village.

Deputy Mayor for Sports Shems El Khalfaoui was on site for the occasion, accompanied by the director of the sports department Lynda Ihaddaden and representatives of the two largest clubs in the municipality: Chérif Ould Younes, president of AS Pierrefitte, and Thibaut Rethore-Jniene, president of Saint-Denis Union Sports.

« This recognition is a source of collective pride. It's a source of pride for the work carried out by all the city's sports stakeholders – clubs, associations, coaches, and volunteers – who are committed every day to making sports accessible to everyone.Shems El Khalfaoui points out on Facebook. It is part of the success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Saint-Denis. From the outset, we made the choice to do so. a legacy projectIt is this ability to transform a global event into sustainable public policies that continues to serve as a reference and to attract the interest of European cities and territories today. »

The municipality has conducted " an unprecedented investment "In its sports facilities," he emphasized, citing extensive renovations, upgrades to meet current standards, and the creation of new equipment. This award is recognition ofa sports accessibility policy led by the municipality for the past six years, adds Mayor Mathieu Hanotin. She is too recognition of the success of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Gameswhich could be transformed into leverage for sustainable policies, both for access to sport and for the transformation of our city. »