Will the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris be an economy? The time seems in any case to lower costs. The coronavirus health crisis could affect the initial envelope of 6.8 billion euros. This budget was at the heart of the meeting organized on Wednesday at the Elysée Palace between the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, on a two-day visit to the capital.
>> LIVE - Coronavirus: follow the evolution of the situation Thursday July 9
The cost of construction sites will be closely monitored
The IOC President fears additional costs due to the direct impact of the health crisis. The Paris 2024 Organizing Committee (OCOG) will in particular have to review the cost of construction sites and the sponsor's income down.
A wish shared by Emmanuel Macron who wants to anticipate any slippage. According to a source at the Elysée Palace, there were no discussions on the Olympic sites. The President of the Republic however invited the OCOG and the partners of the local authorities to look in detail, before the end of the year, how to reduce the risks of additional cost, without however touching the environmental and urban heritage, base of the project.
CORONAVIRUS ESSENTIALS
> Coronavirus: what we know about transmission by micro-droplets in the air
> Coronavirus: three reasons to continue to respect barrier gestures
> Holidays: should grandparents worry about looking after their grandchildren?
> Can we catch coronavirus on a plane?
> Coronavirus: 5 mistakes not to make with your mask
Savings of 300 to 400 million euros
The figure of 300 to 400 million euros of potential savings was mentioned. Still according to the Elysée Palace, Thomas Bach clarified that the IOC was ready to participate in the collective effort. Not by increasing its financial contribution by a billion euros, but by reducing, for example, the number of athletes or the program of competitions. Without losing the appeal of the event, which returns to Paris 100 years after its last visit.