In France, especially in Paris, the run-up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games was one long lament about what was wrong and the disasters to come. It did not start well. On the night of the inauguration, a group of unidentified saboteurs burned cables and destroyed the train network in large parts of the country. Nearly a million people were stranded. During the inauguration ceremony itself, it rained and blew. But then something happened. As Céline Dion’s final note continued into the Paris night, even the negative opinions heard before the games flew away. Commentators on French television were moved to tears, and the inauguration was suddenly declared a historic success. During the following TV broadcasts, the French sang La Marseillaise, the national anthem, a cappella. The feeling of being at a sports-style rock concert spread from many Olympic venues around Paris.
But the remarkable 16 days of the Olympics were not all about sport. Paris was a crucial business event in the battle between European countries to attract head offices, factories, and research and development centres. France’s economic promoters got the chance to present themselves in the best possible light to foreign business leaders and investors. About 500 decision makers from 43 countries were invited to Paris for the Olympics. During a press conference, Valérie Pécresse, President of Paris Region, said: “The goal is to introduce the delegates to the wealth of the Parisian ecosystem, its technological and industrial landscape, especially in key areas like health care and mobility.” To get to Institut Gustave-Roussy, one of the leading European cancer centres, the international guests rode line 14, the latest addition to the Paris metro system, and thanks to its automation, experienced the high speed. They then continued to the world’s largest fresh market in Rungis before arriving at Orly airport.
For the Paris Region, the Olympics was a crucial investment. The region has made significant financial commitments, aiming to accelerate the region’s economic, social, and environmental transformation. In fact, after the French government, the Paris Region is the largest sponsor of the games, underlining the event’s importance and with the insight that events create meetings, and meetings create events.
The games showcased many technical innovations, resulting from emulation between the Paris Region and international companies that have combined their expertise to make this event memorable. These innovations in transportation, energy, digital technology, Big Data, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are a glimpse into the future, with flying cabs, autonomous vehicles running on green hydrogen, and a floating solar power plant on the Seine paving the way for the next generation of technology.
Parallel to the Olympic Games, the French demonstrated their ability to organise, which is not usually the impression of France from abroad. It reassures potential investors about the questions they typically ask themselves, such as whether their projects and business events can be completed on schedule.
To quote The Washington Post: “The Olympics needed a reset, merci to Paris for providing it.” We are still trying to bottle the Olympic spirit for the next four years.
