Paris Olympics 2024: Almost Being Burnt Down, Swimming Fans Now Celebrate New World Aquatics Announcement

With the anticipation of the Paris Olympics just two months away, the global swimming community is abuzz with excitement. A particular highlight amid the fervor is the completion of the Olympic Aquatics Centre, a pivotal venue for the upcoming Paris 2024 Games. Situated as one of only two newly constructed facilities in the Paris region, its timely opening shows the meticulous planning and dedicated efforts of France.

Designed to the highest standards of sustainability and functionality, the Olympic Aquatics Centre boasts an impressive array of features. Over 4,000 solar panels adorn its structure, harnessing renewable energy to power the facility. Despite encountering challenges, notably a fire incident during construction last year, the center now is all ready. As final touches are made for the inaugural events, the Aquatics Centre revealed the final pictures of the center.

World Aquatics announce readiness of Paris Olympics 2024

Recently, World Aquatics shared an exciting update on X, highlighting the readiness of the Olympic Aquatic Center for the upcoming Paris 2024 Games. Accompanied by captivating images showcasing the center’s impeccable preparations, the post announced its role as the venue for diving, water polo, and artistic swimming events from July 27 to August 10.

Architect Laure Meriaud’s insights into the center’s design, including its utilization of over 4,000 solar panels and innovative concave wooden beam structure, show its commitment to sustainability and functionality, as reported by Reuters. With a seating capacity of 5,000, including 2,000 removable seats, the venue is poised to host a myriad of competitions. Notably, the center’s pool, boasting a capacity of over 5,500 cubic meters of water, underwent rigorous testing before its official filling in February, marking a significant milestone in its completion.

It was labeled as the most expensive project for the Paris Olympics, with a budget totaling 151 million euros. The formal handover ceremony on April 4, attended by prominent figures including Tony Estanguet, head of Paris 2024, and French President Emmanuel Macron, symbolized the culmination of collective efforts and marked the beginning of its role in hosting world-class aquatic competitions during the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Games. However, to achieve such heights, it had to overcome setbacks, such as the fire incident it faced last year.

Setback for the Paris Aquatic Centre amidst nationwide unrest

Last year, the Paris Aquatic Centre faced a setback when its facade suffered minor damage during riots that engulfed France overnight. According to SOLIDEO, the company overseeing the Games’ infrastructures; the unrest resulted in buses parked near the construction site being set ablaze, leading to slight damage to the building’s facade. In response, SOLIDEO announced considerations for implementing additional security measures across all Olympic construction sites to mitigate the risk of further damage.

The incident occurred amid nationwide protests and violence following the police killing of a 17-year-old of Algerian and Moroccan descent during a traffic stop. With 667 arrests made nationwide overnight and unrest spreading to cities like Marseille, Lyon, Pau, Toulouse, and Lille, the incident underscored the challenges of ensuring security and stability amidst social tensions during the lead-up to major international events like the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Read More: Video: Fire Rages at Paris Olympics’ Pool Under Construction an Year Ahead of the Mega Games