Following the conclusion of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, nearly 1.2 million pieces of sports equipment used during the event are receiving a second life. In addition to this equipment, other goods, such as uniforms, furniture and technology, will also be reused, fulfilling the organizers’ commitment to reduce waste and promote the circular economy. “Ninety percent of the six million pieces of sports equipment and other assets will have a second life,” the organizers highlighted, signaling a sustainability milestone for the Games.
Of the 1.2 million pieces of sports equipment, approximately 75% (some 900,000 pieces) were leased. The remaining 300,000, which were purchased, are being donated to the French sports movement, which will benefit local communities, promote physical activity and improve sports infrastructure throughout the country. This initiative marks a before and after in the history of the Games, demonstrating how assets used in the event can generate a long-term positive impact.
A LEGACY ‘MADE IN’ 2020 OLYMPIC AGENDA
The Paris 2024 Games were the first to fully align with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms, which seek to minimize the environmental impact of the Games and ensure long-term social and economic benefits for host communities. “Paris 2024 has redefined what a more sustainable and responsible Olympic Games can be, setting a powerful example for future hosts,” said Marie Sallois, IOC Director of Sustainability.
The organizers’ commitment to reuse and redistribute sports equipment responds to this approach of minimizing consumption while benefiting local communities. In addition, the organization’s ambition is to promote sport throughout France and introduce physical activity to less active sectors of society. This approach seeks to create a lasting impact that goes beyond competition days.
SOCIAL IMPACT
In an effort to reduce emissions by half compared to previous editions of the Games, 95 percent of the venues used in Paris 2024 already existed or were temporary. The few new infrastructures that were built responded to local needs, especially in disadvantaged communities. Both the Aquatics Center and the Paris 2024 Olympic Village were built in the northeastern suburbs of Paris, an area that lacked adequate sports and residential facilities.
Marie Sallois stressed that “from Seine-Saint-Denis to every corner of France, Paris 2024 is proving that sport has the power to build a better world, one community at a time.” This area, one of the most disadvantaged in terms of sports infrastructure, will be one of the main beneficiaries of the donated assets. The legacy of the Games seeks to redress inequalities in access to sports facilities, promoting inclusion and social development.
DONATIONS TO FEDERATIONS
Among the beneficiaries of these donations are sports federations such as the French Volleyball Federation, which will receive essential equipment such as balls, nets and sports flooring. Likewise, the French Badminton Federation will receive equipment that will support both Olympic and Paralympic programs, empowering athletes of all levels.
In Seine-Saint-Denis, the heart of the Games, the beach volleyball sand used at the Eiffel Tower will be reused to create three new courts in the Marville departmental park, with an additional court in nearby Taverny in Val d’Oise. The Skateboard Street area and the temporary pools at the Arena de La Défense will also be moved to this area, helping to expand the aquatic infrastructure, a scarce resource in the region.
REDISTRIBUTION TO ASSOCIATIONS
In addition to sports equipment, the Organizing Committee has thoroughly reviewed other goods such as uniforms, furniture and technological equipment, with the aim of minimizing waste and maximizing their reuse. A partnership has been established with the City of Paris, the French Olympic and Paralympic Committees and organizations such as Emmaus, the Red Cross and Secours Populaire Français to redistribute these goods to vulnerable communities. The donated items include 50,000 pieces of furniture from the Olympic Village, such as 9,000 mattresses and 11,000 pillows, which will be delivered to Emmaus.
In addition to the donations, Paris 2024 is organizing so-called ‘Great Games Sales’ across France, giving fans and collectors the opportunity to purchase a piece of Olympic history. From athletes’ towels to ceremonial objects, thousands of items used during the Games are on sale at attractive prices, allowing the public to connect with the legacy of this historic event.