Paris 2024: High Ambitions for Health Improvement
As we near the end of the excellent Paris Olympics 2024 it is worth reflecting on the efforts that the organisers have made to create a healthy environment for visitors and Parisians alike. Many sporting events are being designed in ways that consider their social, economic and environmental impact, alongside showcasing inspiring sporting endeavours.
Well done to the Paris organisers who have embraced the creation of a healthy sporting environment. Here are a few examples from areas linked with our work:
Be Active
Thousands of additional bikes have been made available for sharing, as well as new cycle parking, miles of dedicated lanes and every venue can be reached on two wheels. Thirty-four miles of new routes have been created in the past two years making Paris the first fully cyclable Olympic Games of the modern era. Game's locations in Paris are also served by a 418km network of cycle lanes that includes 88km of new protected routes. More generally the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games will set new standards for environmental responsibility, demonstrating how to hold global sporting events in an era of accelerating climate change.
The only new competition venue to be built for the Games is the Aquatics Centre. It was constructed as much for its legacy of helping a deprived community to be more active, in particular meeting a local need where half of primary age children do not know how to swim.
Eat Well
Although there have been some teething problems at the athletes’ village (shortages of proteins was an initial, quickly rectified concern) the 2024 Games plans to cut the carbon cost of meals in half for athletes, administrators, workers and spectators by doubling the number of plant-based options, and sourcing 80% of ingredients locally. This approach aims to support local farmers and reduce food miles and emissions.
Although we are still seeing lots of strong connections between sporting events and “big food” marketing and sponsoring, such as Coca Cola being a key partner in the Olympics, we have seen a positive move by organisers to avoid placing McDonalds outlets in the athletes’ village. Instead, they are providing light, local and mostly plant-based dishes for athletes.
Substance Use
Smoking is not permitted at any Paris 2024 venues except in designated areas. The rule applies to both cigarettes and vaping. The organisers are also reminding athletes: Sport cannot protect us against the harmful effects of smoking. The relationship between smoking and the Olympics has always been controversial. This article explains the association and includes 100 images of adverts from tobacco companies and the Olympics. https://tobacco.stanford.edu/cigarettes/smoking-in-sports/olympics/.
The Olympic Games have been smoke-free since 2010. However as recently as 1980’s, a U.S. Tobacco Company was the official sponsor for the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid. Here’s an example of associating the smoking with the Tokyo Olympics in 1964.
In conclusion all community events (not just sporting occasions) can build upon the efforts at Paris 2024. Global sports bodies have recognised the relationship between sports activity and wellbeing and The World Health Organisation has emphasised the link between sport, activity and health in its Sport for Health programme:
https://www.who.int/initiatives/sports-and-health
‘Sports and health go hand in hand, offering people all over the world, of different abilities and ages, the chance for happier, healthier and more productive lives.’ The 2023 Island Games in Guernsey was a good example of such an approach. Our work with the Island Games organising committee is summarised here: