The Paris Olympics cost France less than half of what was estimated; to understand

The “net cost” of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games for the French state has been adjusted to 2.8 billion euros (around 17.8 billion reais), a group of government experts announced on Monday. This value represents a “considerable” reduction compared to the 6.6 billion euros (around 42 billion reais) announced by the national control body in September, the adjustment being a mitigation of the estimated impact on employment and infrastructure.

“By considering certain benefits, the climatic dimension and the value of the heritage – still partially measured – the total cost of the Games decreases considerably: it would be reduced by more than half, to less than 3 billion euros,” indicated the High Commission for Planning (HCP) in a “summary note” obtained by AFP this Monday.

This “net cost” of 2.76 billion euros “would fall to 1.5 billion euros, a reduction of more than four times” if we take into account “less conservative hypotheses”, indicated the HCP.

Heatwave at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

British tennis player Jack Draper cools down with an ice pack during a break during his match against American Taylor Fritz — Photo: Martin Bernetti / AFP

The public cools off because of the high temperatures in the showers — Photo: Odd ANDERSEN / AFP

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The public cools off from high temperatures in the showers — Photo: Odd ANDERSEN / AFP

North American Coco Gauff cools down with an ice pack during a tennis match against Croatian Donna Vekic — Photo: Patrícia de Melo Moreira / AFP

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Police officers cool off on the banks of the Ourcq canal, in Paris — Photo: Olympia DE MAISMONT / AFP

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Supporters use umbrellas to protect themselves from the intense heat in Paris — Photo: Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP

Cyclists protect themselves from the sun with umbrellas before the start of the women's BMX Freestyle Park cycling qualification — Photo: Odd Andersen / AFP — 6 out of 10
Cyclists protect themselves from the sun with umbrellas before the start of the women’s BMX Freestyle Park cycling qualification — Photo: Odd Andersen / AFP

Supporters protect themselves from the heat during a women's rugby sevens match — Photo: Carl de Souza / AFP — 7 out of 10
Supporters protect themselves from the heat during a women’s rugby sevens match — Photo: Carl de Souza / AFP

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Thermometers are expected to reach 35 degrees in the French capital and its surrounding areas — Photo: Thomas Samson / AFP

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A couple walks along the banks of the Seine — Photo: Thibaud MORITZ/AFP

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Heatwave in Paris — Photo: ARNAUD FINISTRE/AFP

Athletes and supporters suffer from high temperatures in Paris

The organization carried out a “cost-benefit analysis” of the Paris Games “with the aim of covering all of the economic, social and environmental impacts for France”, details the note.

The study was carried out by the Research Center for the Study and Observation of Living Conditions (Credoc) and supervised by a scientific council. The HCP said the infrastructure built would bring “long-term” benefits.

“Under certain assumptions, which may be refined over time, its asset value would amount to nearly 3 billion euros,” specifies the entity.

Lots of love: athletes experience scenes of romance at the Paris Olympic Games

Liu Yuchen proposed to Olympic champion Huang Ya Qiong — Photo: Luis TATO/AFP

Armand Duplantis went viral when he kissed his girlfriend after his gold-winning pole vault jump — Photo: Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP

Alice Finot proposed to her boyfriend after the race — Photo: Disclosure / Olympic Games

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Gold in judo, Italian Alice Bellandi celebrates by kissing her girlfriend, Jasmine Martin — Photo: Luis ROBAYO / AFP

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Pablo Simonet, Argentine handball player, proposed to his girlfriend Maria Pilar Campoy, field hockey athlete, still at the Olympic village in Paris — Photo: Rakuto MAKINO / IOC / Disclosure

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American long jump gold medalist Tara Davis-Woodhall celebrates with her husband, American track and field Paralympian Hunter Woodhall — Photo: Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP

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Triple jump athlete, Brazilian Almir Júnior, proposed to his girlfriend Talita Ramos shortly after the competition — Photo: Reproduction / TV Globo

The French city has become the scene of medals and grand displays of affection

Job creation was also an important factor in reducing the bill, the value of which for society is estimated at 200 million euros. The bonuses granted to employees generated “a net benefit of around 500 million euros”, while the increase in participation in sporting activities and the associated health benefits are estimated at 250 million euros.

The HCP also specified that the “well-being provided to French spectators” could be valued at 300 million euros.

“This is a momentary estimate; many of these benefits could materialize or increase over time,” said the health professional.