By Once the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics end, a significant question arises: What happens to all the sports equipment, like balls, nets, sports floors, and even the temporary swimming pools installed at venues like the Paris La Défense Arena? The organisers have already detailed a well-thought-out plan to manage this enormous task. Remarkably, 75% of the 1.2 million items used during the Games were leased and will be returned to their original owners, such as sporting federations. The remaining quarter, which was purchased, will be donated to the French sports movement to enhance access to physical activity, especially in areas with limited sports infrastructure.
For instance, the French Volleyball Federation (FFVB) will receive equipment like balls, nets, and sports floors, which will be distributed across sports centers throughout France. Similarly, the French Badminton Federation (FFBaD) will acquire equipment for both Olympic and Paralympic disciplines, with destinations like Pays de la Loire earmarked for this gear. The French Taekwondo Federation (FFTDA) will distribute the equipment used during the Games to various clubs in the Paris region, including Dugny. This redistribution ensures that the legacy of Paris 2024 continues to benefit athletes and communities long after the Games are over.
Equipment After Paris 2024 Olympics
In addition to sports equipment, temporary facilities set up for Paris 2024 will also find new homes. For example, the sand from the temporary beach volleyball arena at the Eiffel Tower will be reused to create pitches in departmental parks like Marville and Taverny. Similarly, the temporary swimming pools from Paris La Défense Arena will be relocated to places like Seine-Saint-Denis, Sevran, and Bagnolet as part of a lasting legacy initiative. Skateboarding areas will also be transferred to new locations, continuing to serve local communities.
The re-use and recycling efforts extend beyond sports equipment. Gerflor, which provided 33,000m² of sports flooring for the Games, will be reinstalling almost forty pitches in municipalities and clubs across France. Moreover, the Paris 2024 organisers will host at least 12 second-hand fairs around the country, marking the first time in Olympic history that souvenirs such as uniforms, cups, flags, towels, and even items from the ceremonies will be given a second life.
Additionally, 90% of the six million assets used during the Games will be reclaimed by service providers and partners. For example, Lyreco, which supplied over 60,000 items of furniture for the Games, will repurpose this furniture into a new range of second-hand furniture. Partner organization RGS will donate over 50,000 pieces of furniture to the Emmaus Movement, aiding people in challenging situations as they move into permanent homes. Thousands of other items, from accessibility equipment to trolleys and household appliances, will be sold via an online platform, ensuring that almost everything used during Paris 2024 finds a new purpose
click here for more sports news
