Paris could change how cities host the Olympics for good

THE OLYMPIC flame will illuminate the City of Light from July 26th, when the world’s greatest sporting spectacle gets under way in Paris. Although France still lacks a government after a snap national parliamentary vote in recent weeks, its capital will host the 33rd Olympiad in style. Dressage events will take place in the magnificent grounds of Versailles; volleyballs will whizz over nets by the Eiffel Tower. Organisers hope to show the best of France to visiting sports fans, business executives and foreign politicians. One of the thousands of volunteers involved describes “an infectious positive energy”.

Not all locals are so enthused, however. Security is tight over terrorism fears and much of central Paris has been zoned off. Restaurants and other businesses in these areas are emptier than normal and bookings at the poshest hotels were down between 20% and 50% in July, according to UMIH Prestige, which represents them. Overall, 44% of Parisians consider the games to be a “bad thing”, according to recent polling; 50% said they would consider leaving the city to escape them. “I want this event to be amazing,” explains Paul Hatte, a Parisian councillor who represents the city’s 17th arrondissement, “but it feels more like it will be an international party in Paris without the Parisians.”