Paris Olympics At One Week: Steady Going
With the midpoint of the Paris Olympics approaching, organizers have avoided crises and complications, even as the number of events hits a peak over the weekend.
The most serious challenge so far was whether the triathlon would take place, pollution in the River Seine the issue. The river has been subject to a multi-billion dollar cleanup for the past six years to make the waterway fit for Olympic sport. In addition to the swimming leg of the triathlon, the marathon swimming event in aquatics is supposed to be held on the river this week as well.
Pollution levels forced postponement of the men’s triathlon by one day in the hopes that another 24 hours would be enough to clear the water. Meeting at 0330 on July 31, five hours before the start of the triathlon, Paris 2024 gave the thumbs up, clearing the way for the men to compete, followed by the women’s event.
Had the river flunked the pollution testing it’s quite possible the triathlon would have turned into a duathlon with the dropping of the swimming leg.
Gold medalists were Alex Yee of Great Britain and Cassandre Beaugrand of France.
Still to come is the mixed relay event on August 5. The 10K marathon swim happens August 8 and 9.
Crowds + Heat
Paris organizers put into play measures to counter the heat with temperatures hitting +30c. But the ten day forecast is calling for a retreat for the heat as more seasonal weather settles in. Rain chances are low which means pollution levels in the Seine should be held in check for the marathon swim.
People Watching
Essar Gabriel, who worked on the ill-fated Paris bid for 2012, has formed Druid, a company that handles turnkey planning for sports events such as the Olympics. Gabriel says his firm is responsible for seven venues for Paris. He says organizing committees can turn to his firm for venue expertise instead hiring staff.
Jan Lehmann is the first-ever CEO for the European Olympic Committees. The German sports marketing executive was hired three months ago and works in the Rome headquarters for the continental federation. He’s been in Paris taking in the Olympic scene, guided by Jon Tibbs of JTA, the British sports marketing firm which includes the EOC as a client.
Jeff Millman, once the comms director for Los Angeles 2024 is back, helping plan media operations for the 2028 Games. He’s one of dozens of LA 28 staff who have spent time observing Paris during the past two months.
Once a major player in the Olympic hospitality arena, JetSet Sports lost that distinction when the IOC designated U.S. firm On Location to handle Olympic Games hospitality. But JetSet is still active in the space, led by newly named CEO Alan Dizdarevic. Founder and father Sead Dizdarevic is now chairman of the company based in New Jersey. Alan says JetSet has managed more than 400 hotel rooms for the Olympics. A swish hospitality center is up and running at the famed George V hotel.
Written in Paris by Ed Hula