France is preparing for a unique, grandiose, and exorbitantly expensive 2024 Olympics.
The country is currently looking at a total tab of at least $8.6 billion, up from an initial estimate of $6.9 billion.
- Inflation, which hit 6.5% last month in France, could bring the cost to more than $10 billion, mainly due to increased costs of shipping and materials.
- The country is also beefing up its planned security, with 11,000 police officers on the ground each day and up to 25,000 security agents.
Organizers are focused on inclusion, highlighted by the slogan “Games wide open,” and plan to use the Games to highlight LGBTQ rights, gender equality, and disabled people’s rights. Prices for each sport will start around $24 and close to half the tickets will go for around $50 or less.
In-Seine Ceremony
Rather than holding the opening ceremony inside a stadium, organizers are planning an event on the Seine, the famous river that runs through Paris. With an expected 600,000 attendees, the ceremony could be the largest in Olympic history.
Boats will carry the Games’ 10,500 athletes past city landmarks. Ticketed seats will be sold close to the river, but most attendees will be able to watch for free.
