Towards sustainable Olympism: Paris 2024 and Dakar 2026 at the forefront
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with their initial ambition of achieving a carbon footprint half that of previous editions and a strong focus on their legacy, have paved the way for more sustainable Olympism by embracing more ecological initiatives and structuring the Olympic Games in a more sustainable manner. As the time comes to evaluate the outcomes, it is useful to analyze how this event and future ones can align with broader international objectives shared by the member states of the Olympic movement, particularly within the framework established by the Paris Pact for People and the Planet in June 2023.
Paris 2024: Focusing on Legacy and Sustainability
These Games present a positive sustainability record. The unprecedented dual challenge of 100% of competition venues being accessible by public transport and 100% of spectators using soft and active mobility was successfully met. The ambition for universal accessibility also materialized, with the goal of 1,000 accessible taxis achieved and a transport operators' action plan focused on service quality for people with reduced mobility (PRM).
These Games leave a lasting and already tangible legacy for France: the Athletes' Village will become a park with 4,000 housing units (including 40% social housing) benefiting the residents of Seine-Saint-Denis, and the development of transport infrastructure is already improving the quality of life for people in the Paris region. Other similar developments will also remain as a legacy in mainland France and the Overseas territories.
The Olympic Games: A Global Event That Must Be a Catalyst for Lasting Change
The Olympic and Paralympic Games, along with the Youth Olympic Games, are global events with unparalleled worldwide resonance. The Olympic Games are the most-watched sporting event in the world. This enthusiasm grants them immense power to demonstrate and convince. While the integration of sustainability issues into major sporting events is relatively recent, the modern Olympic Games have sought, from their inception, to promote strong values and contribute to building a better and more sustainable world.
However, the scale of the event brings challenges, particularly due to the demanding requirements of the competitions. As a result, organizing the Olympic Games involves significant financial costs and negative externalities, particularly on the environment. To minimize these risks, it is crucial to consider the proper use and maintenance of infrastructure in advance to avoid 'white elephants'—expensive and often underutilized facilities after the Games. Paris 2024 and Dakar 2026 exemplify this sustainable approach. With the goal of halving the climate impact of the Olympic Games and achieving carbon neutrality, the Paris Games integrate sustainability by extensively reusing existing infrastructure, incorporating climate and biodiversity considerations into the construction of sports facilities, and using renewable energy. They also prioritize public transportation and electric vehicles for athletes, officials, and spectators.
Making Dakar 2026 an Example of Sustainable Development Through Sport
Dakar 2026, the first Olympic event on African soil, aims to become a model for mobilizing African youth around shared values of sustainability and development. The Senegalese organizing committee is committed to making this event a catalyst for socio-economic development and a source of inspiration for Africa and the rest of the world. Sports infrastructures will be rehabilitated or built with a constant focus on sustainability, and these Youth Games will promote the circular economy and job creation. The significant investments made by Senegal in the rehabilitation of infrastructures like the Iba Mar Diop Stadium and the construction of local sports facilities, supported by AFD, uphold this vision while promoting exemplary sustainability standards for the rest of the continent.
Sustainability has become an essential condition for the Olympic movement. The examples of Paris 2024 and Dakar 2026 show the way forward for a more responsible Olympism, integrated with its environment. This new standard, which involves adapting the event to its host city rather than the other way around, defines the future of major international sporting competitions.
