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A former army field, the so-called “Essences” site in La Courneuve is to host the Olympic shooting events in the summer of 2024. But a controversy has swelled for several days between the Paris 2024 organizing committee and local elected officials.
The site of the shooting events of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 has been setting fire to the powder for several days between organizers now deeming it too small and elected officials who are not ready to let go of a location in Seine-Saint-Denis.
« Seine-Saint-Denis is, and will remain at the heart of the Games »
Stéphane Troussel (Socialist Party), president of the Departmental Council, has not hidden his annoyance since filtered in France Bleu Berry a visit of the teams of the organizing committee (Cojo) from another site located in Châteauroux (Indre ), nearly 300 km from Paris, studied as “ fallback “, according to the radio.
Monday, January 24, he criticized the organizers for acting “ behind the backs of elected officials » and to resort to a « deplorable method “Letting filter a plan B. The PS mayor of Saint-Denis, Mathieu Hanotin, came in support. In the fall of 2020, the two elected officials had already stepped up to ensure the sustainability of the media village project – which will welcome journalists from all over the world –, then threatened and located near the shooting events.
« Seine-Saint-Denis is, and will remain at the heart of the Games, assures Stéphane Troussel to RFI. And when there is a difficulty, you shouldn’t think regarding I don’t know what plan B, but sit around the table to work together. Any other method is not acceptable. »
« The Cojo went to Châteauroux (referenced by Paris 2024 as a preparation center for the Games) to draw inspiration from best practices, as for all other sports “Explains to RFI a source close to the file.
Nicolas Ferrand, general manager of Solideo (Olympic works delivery company), in charge of the permanent works of the Games and who supervises the depollution works of the “Essences” site, explained on Tuesday January 25 that “ the Cojo realized that it was a little tight compared to what we had planned since 2018 ».
Find solutions in the field of Essences or look elsewhere
Indeed, the International Shooting Federation recently challenged the idea of Paris 2024 to reduce the competition area (two clay pigeon shooting spaces instead of three), forcing the Cojo to two hypotheses: either find solutions on the ground Essences, or look elsewhere.
To find the necessary space, the Cojo is now eyeing a bowling alley next to the “Essences” site. ” On the bowling alley, there are authorizations to request, it is a Natura 2000 site, there are a little more advanced authorizations “, explained Nicolas Ferrand. ” For several weeks, environmental questions have arisen on this site. We have to find solutions. Nothing is decided yet “, declared Tony Estanguet on France 24, Tuesday January 25.
« On all great projects, there are difficulties, specifies Stéphane Troussel. And between trusted, committed partners, we must seek solutions together. I ask to resolve difficulties when they arise. And that’s all ».
Need for new environmental authorizations
Because as far as his part is concerned, the “Essences” field stricto sensu, Nicolas Ferrand assures us that “ all environmental, administrative and other procedures are behind us “. It is therefore the need for new environmental authorizations, for a new space, which might jeopardize the schedule. This is the meaning of the letter recently sent by the prefecture of Île-de-France to the president of the Cojo Tony Estanguet, said Nicolas Ferrand.
A meeting must be held to find out whether, bowling alley or not, the site can be ready in time. Be that as it may, explained the boss of Solideo, the so-called “Essences” land will be cleaned up, 12 million euros of public funds have already been devoted to it. And it will become following the Olympics a new entrance to the Georges Valbon departmental park.
Seine-Saint-Denis has already lost events
The elected officials of Seine-Saint-Denis, already scalded, do not intend to see the shooting events of their department disappear. Since the initial project of Paris 2024, competitions planned in Seine-Saint-Denis were finally relocated.
In the fall of 2020, the youngest and poorest department in France has already seen the departure of the swimming events as well as a temporary site which was to host volleyball and badminton. The opening ceremony which was to take place at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis will finally take place on the banks of the Seine in Paris.
Difficulties in the development of the site according to Paris 2024
« The detailed operational and technical studies carried out in recent months on the site of the La Courneuve shooting range have revealed difficulties in the layout of the site. “, let Paris 2024 know. And to explain: “ These studies have particularly raised environmental risks on this partly Natura 2000 classified site. (existence of a protected wetland, site biodiversity issues and existence of protected species) that we take very seriously in terms of our environmental standards. These risks raise a number of questions, in particular regarding our ability to keep to the Games schedule. “Paris 2024 will share” conclusions » of these studies in « full transparency and will continue to engage with all stakeholders.
