Paris 2024 Sets New Standard for Olympic Games
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games have been hailed as the most followed and highly regarded Games in history. Praising the event’s success, IOC President Thomas Bach declared, “Paris 2024 were the most followed Olympic Games ever. They were Games with the highest marks of appreciation ever given by the stakeholders and the public,” referencing the Paris 2024 Insights and Audience Report which found that five billion people globally tuned into the Games.
A Legacy of Olympic Agenda 2020
The Games not only captivated audiences worldwide but also exemplified the IOC’s vision laid out in Olympic Agenda 2020. Bach emphasized this alignment, stating: “In 2014, we had a vision for the future of the Olympic Games. This was established in our Olympic Agenda 2020, and it has one principle at the very top: Olympic Games where the athletes and sport take centre stage. More urban, more youthful, more sustainable, more inclusive. Olympic Games with full gender parity, with the same number of quota places for female and male athletes. Paris 2024 was on board with Olympic Agenda 2020 already in the planning phase of the candidature, in seamless cooperation with the IOC.”
According to Bach, the Organising Committee of Paris 2024, led by the exceptional leadership of Tony Estanguet and Etienne Thobois, brought a unique and significant touch to the Games. Their team, brimming with creativity, innovation, and a profound understanding of French history and culture, deeply engaged with the French people, creating an unparalleled atmosphere of excitement and unity.
“They prepared the ground for the wonderful excitement we all experienced this summer, and for which you cannot plan. In this way, our Olympic Agenda vision became a reality. Paris 2024 met the expectations of the world. These were truly Olympic Games of a new era.”
Bach went on to express his firm belief that the Games provided a beacon of hope, joy, and pride for the world which is yearning for something positive to believe in. “People were longing for something that gives them hope, that gives them joy, that makes them proud. Something they can believe in and something that brings us all together. And this was the Olympic Games Paris 2024. I can only say merci beaucoup Paris 2024, and chapeau.”
Continued Analysis and Evaluation
The Organizing Committee of Paris 2024, represented by Estanguet and Thobois, presented a comprehensive review of the Games’ successes and challenges, highlighting their impact, the process of dissolving the organization, and the legacy for both the Olympic Movement and the host country.
The IOC Final Report on Paris 2024, carefully overseen by the Coordination Commission chaired by Pierre-Olivier Beckers, provides an extensive overview of the Games’ impact. It covers a wide range of aspects, from the positive impact on the host community to achievements in sustainability and engagement, and the overall experience provided to participants and spectators alike.
The report, a product of multiple evaluations and analyses by various stakeholders across the Olympic movement, also offers valuable recommendations on building upon the success of Paris 2024. Representatives from these stakeholders also had the opportunity to share their insights with the IOC Executive Board.
In addition to providing a complete narrative of the Paris 2024 Games, the report presents actionable recommendations for the future, drawing on substantial operational data gathered during the Games through various methods. Analysis of this data will continue throughout the first quarter of 2025, culminating in the final report to be presented to the IOC Session in March.
How has the success of Paris 2024 influenced the IOC’s and future host cities’ perspectives on organizing future Olympic Games?
## Interview: A New Era for the Olympics?
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re diving into the massive success of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. With us is esteemed sports journalist, Alex Reed, to break down this historic event. Welcome, Alex Reed!
**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me. It was truly a remarkable Games.
**Host:** Let’s start with the basics. IOC President Thomas Bach called Paris 2024 the “most followed” and “highly regarded” Games ever. What factors contributed to this unparalleled success?
**Alex Reed:** There are several key factors. First, the Games captivated a global audience exceeding five billion viewers, as documented in the Paris 2024 Insights and Audience Report [[1](https://www.britannica.com/explore/paris-olympics-2024)]. This incredible reach speaks volumes about the widespread appeal of Paris 2024.
**Host:** Absolutely. And it’s not just about viewership, right? There seems to be a real sense that Paris 2024 embodied a new vision for the Olympics…
**Alex Reed:** Precisely! These Games were a shining example of the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020, which prioritized putting athletes front and center, creating a more urban, youthful, sustainable, and inclusive experience.
**Host:** How did Paris 2024 achieve this vision?
**Alex Reed:** Bach praised the Organising Committee, led by Tony Estanguet and Etienne Thobois, for their creativity, innovation, and deep understanding of French culture. This culminated in a really special atmosphere of excitement and unity that resonated throughout the Games.
**Host:** We’ve heard a lot about “Olympic Agenda 2020” being realized in Paris. Could you elaborate on that for our viewers?
**Alex Reed:** Essentially, Olympic Agenda 2020 aimed to make the Games more relevant and appealing to a modern audience. Paris 2024 embraced this vision, with a focus on gender parity, sustainable practices, and a deeper connection with the host city. Hosting events in iconic locations like the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Élysées helped achieve that urban feel.
**Host:** It sounds like Paris 2024 set a new standard. Will we see this blueprint replicated in future Games?
**Alex Reed:** It’s certainly a possibility. Paris has redefined the potential of the Olympics, and I believe other host cities will aspire to achieve the same level of engagement and impact.
**Host:** Thank you for your insights, Alex Reed. This has been a fascinating discussion about a truly historic Olympic Games.
