Paris, 2024: The athletes’ village for the upcoming Paris Olympics and Paralympics officially opened on Thursday, welcoming its first residents. The village, located to the north of Paris, will accommodate nearly 14,500 people at its peak, including 9,000 athletes.
With just eight days remaining before the opening ceremony, the initial arrivals included team members from Australia and Brazil. “We are ready,” declared Augustin Tran Van Chau, the deputy head of the village, in an interview with French media.
Organizers are particularly proud of the village’s eco-friendly design, which eliminates the need for traditional air-conditioning. The buildings are engineered to maintain indoor temperatures at least 6 degrees Celsius (42 degrees Fahrenheit) cooler than the outside summer heat. Despite this, some delegations have opted to bring their own air-conditioning units.
The village features numerous innovations aimed at low-carbon construction, reflecting the commitment to sustainability. Once the Olympics and Paralympics conclude, running from July 26 to September 8, the village’s apartments will be converted into residential homes, with at least a third designated for public housing.
This transformation of the athletes’ village into a sustainable residential community marks a significant step towards creating lasting legacies from the Olympic Games, aligning with broader environmental and social goals.
