Paris 2024 Must Avoid London’s Legacy Pitfalls, Experts Warn

As Paris 2024 wraps up, attention turns to the legacy of the Olympic Games and whether the French capital can avoid the pitfalls experienced by London. The recent fate of London’s ArcelorMittal Orbit, an iconic but underperforming sculpture, serves as a cautionary tale. Originally envisioned to attract 350,000 visitors annually, it has struggled to meet expectations, with actual numbers hovering around 93,000. Maintenance costs have burdened London taxpayers, despite promises of revitalization.

The London Legacy Development Corporation recently announced a £2.6 million investment to revitalize the Orbit with a new zip-line operator, Zip World, set to reopen it in 2025. However, this follows a series of lofty promises and inflated projections that have often fallen short of reality.

Paris has an opportunity to learn from London’s missteps as it embarks on its own Olympic and Paralympic legacy journey.

Paris faces its own legacy challenges. The city has pledged significant improvements, including expanded metro lines and cleaner river facilities. Yet, the true test will be in delivering on promises of affordable housing and sustainable development. Paris has committed that 32% of new homes in Saint-Denis will be reserved for public housing, but meeting these goals will require sustained political and economic effort.

London’s experience reveals the gap between ambitious promises and real outcomes. While the Olympic Park has seen new developments and investments, issues like rising housing costs and gentrification have highlighted disparities. Paris has the opportunity to learn from these lessons and ensure that its Olympic legacy genuinely benefits all residents, not just the affluent.