Paris (AFP)
Handball in Lille, gymnastics and basketball at Paris-Bercy, four less sites: the new map of Olympic venues was finalized on Wednesday by the organizers of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, announced Wednesday Tony Estanguet, the chairman of the committee organization.
There are still a little more than three weeks before this new site map, finalized at the end of an executive committee on Wednesday, is definitively validated during the Paris-2024 board of directors on December 17.
But even if the discussions "continue" with certain international federations, as Tony Estanguet confided, there is little chance that this new version will evolve by then.
The main lines of this new version had already been announced at the end of September with in particular the departure of swimming and volleyball from Seine-Saint-Denis, to land respectively at La Défense Arena and at the Parc des Expositions at Porte de Versailles. .
These two temporary site removals are accompanied by that of the Jean Bouin stadium which ultimately will not host any event, and that of a stadium to host football.
"There are therefore four less sites. We have a reinforced project, with the same number of sports with fewer sites," confirmed Tony Estanguet.
Main change: the transfer of handball, initially planned at the Parc des Expositions and which will eventually go to Lille at the Pierre Mauroy stadium.
Gymnastics and basketball were also split in two.
The Bercy hall will host the final stages of basketball, as well as artistic gymnastics and trampoline.
The rhythmic gymnastics events will take place at the Arena Porte de la Chapelle.
"We are in great shape, this project is sharpening", assured Tony Estanguet, "we aim to gain in sobriety and maintain ambition".
Two events of the Paralympic Games (August 28-September 8, 2024) have also been awarded to Seine-Saint-Denis, the marathon and track cycling.
© 2020 AFP