By Robert Fawdon, Paris, July 13, 2016: The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Bid Committee has hailed the success of UEFA EURO 2016 success as a further proof point of Paris’ and France’s first-class expertise and experience in hosting major international sports events.
The month long celebration of football was held safely and securely in 10 cities across France with Paris and neighbouring suburb Saint-Denis hosting 12 matches including the final at the 80,000 capacity Stade de France.
If Paris hosts the Games in 2024, Saint-Denis will be home to the main Olympic Stadium, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, a new, state-of-the-art Olympic Aquatics Centre and the Athlete and Media Villages – creating a new Olympic sports hub that will serve as a central pillar in the Saint-Denis community.
The Fan Zone at the heart of Paris, situated under the iconic Eiffel Tower, became one of the tournament success stories welcoming more than 1.2 million visitors over the course of the competition. 70% of visitors to the Eiffel Tower Fan Zone were French citizens – highlighting the passion and local interest evoked by the tournament.
Images and footage of the incredible Fan Zone celebrations were beamed around the world with more than 3,100 journalists broadcasting to 100 million viewers in more than 100 countries.
The City of Paris’ posts on social networks also totalled more than 17 million views and the search term ‘visit Paris’ reached its highest level for two years on Google.
400,000 people also visited the 84 events across the city that formed part of a cultural programme ran by the City of Paris to accompany the tournament.
Euro 2016 was one of the most sustainable sports events in history becoming the first event organiser in France to receive the ISO 20121 certification – a management system standard designed to help organisations improve the sustainability of their activities, products and services. It is estimated that 132 tons of waste was collected for recycling in the Paris Fan Zone alone.
Paris 2024 Co-Chairman, Bernard Lapasset, said:
“I would like to congratulate UEFA and the Local Organising Committee for putting on a hugely successful EURO 2016 and a fantastic celebration of football that has touched the nation.
Every host city played its own unique part and it has been wonderful to see fans across the country showing their passion and love for sport.
“France already has a first-class track record in hosting major sports events and the successful EURO is further evidence of the country’s exceptional hosting capabilities.
The excitement and celebrations that we have seen in full to capacity stadia and fan zones has been truly inspirational.
Paris 2024 aims to harness the passion and desire for live sport in France and channel this energy into our bid to deliver an unforgettable Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024.”
Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, said:
“The City of Paris and the whole of France can be very proud of the tournament we have delivered and the way in which the country has embraced and celebrated this wonderful festival of sport.
The organisation of the tournament has been outstanding and I would like to congratulate UEFA and the Local Organising Committee for their first-class work.
“It was a true honour to welcome fans to Paris from across Europe and to see the city come alive with colour, passion, anticipation and excitement.
Throughout the month long tournament we have seen the true Parisian spirit of joy and inclusivity and it would be wonderful to replicate the carnival atmosphere and elite sporting action during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024.”
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