It will be difficult for Paris to host the 2024 Olympic Games “from scratch,” State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova told NEWS.ru. She noted that the capital of France is a populated metropolis, so it will be difficult to create conditions for international competitions there. Nevertheless, the Olympic champion wished Paris a successful Games.
Now Paris is a heavily populated city, and it is not easy for them to hold the Olympics from scratch. When we built everything the right way in Sochi and didn’t bother anyone, it was easier here. In such a metropolis it is not so easy to do everything. I wish them a good Olympics, regardless of whether we are at the Games or not. For athletes and spectators, it will still be the Olympics,” Zhurova said.
Zhurova also pointed to the issue of athletes’ safety. She recalled that after the terrorist attack in New York on September 11, 2001, many were afraid to go to the 2022 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
The danger was many times greater, and the athletes were afraid to go, but still the Americans convinced that everything would go well. And so it happened. I think there is also a question of money here. The USA and Russia spent a lot on hosting the Olympics. I think it’s more difficult here with France,” Zhurova clarified.
Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris may be limited due to the threat of terrorist attacks. According to him, a few days before the event, all special services will be mobilized and a security perimeter will be established.