Next month will see the arrival of the 2024 Paris Olympics, but the preparation for this edition of the Olympics has come under scrutiny.
Firstly, the progress of infrastructure construction in Paris has been slow. With only one month left until the opening, Olympic venues remain unfinished, still in a raw state.
This delay suggests that the French are not in a rush to complete the preparations.
Much of Paris's beauty is attributed to the Seine River, which runs through the city and is home to many important architectural landmarks, hailed as Paris's lifeline.
Therefore, the French government plans to host triathlon and open water swimming competitions on the Seine River.
However, many French citizens believe that the Seine River is not suitable for swimming.
The water quality issues of the Seine River are prominent, with the river being filled with feces and various types of garbage, emitting an unpleasant odor.
To address this issue, the French government has invested 1.4 billion euros in remediation efforts. President Macron even stated that he would swim in the Seine River with the Mayor of Paris to showcase improvements in water quality.
However, the remediation efforts have not led to significant improvements. According to tests conducted by a French foundation, pollution in the Seine River remains severe, with excessive levels of E. coli and enterococci bacteria, posing risks for activities in the river.
In response, the French public is very dissatisfied, feeling that a large amount of taxpayers' money has been wasted without bringing any substantial improvements. There have even been protests where people simulated defecation in the Seine River to express their anger.
Currently, the French government not only needs to calm public sentiment but also strengthen governance of the Seine River to ensure that water quality tests on the day of the competition meet standards.
In addition, the Paris Organizing Committee aims to make this Olympics the most environmentally friendly ever by providing cardboard beds for athletes in the Olympic Village.
According to reports, these cardboard beds are produced by the Japanese company Airweave, similar to those used in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
While the environmental concept is commendable, concerns arise about the comfort of cardboard beds.
Even more questionable is the decision not to install air conditioning in the Olympic Village, opting instead for a geothermal cooling system.
This system draws constant 14°C cold water from 80 meters underground through geothermal power plants, delivering it to each room via cooling pipes under the floor, claiming to reduce room temperature by 6°C to 8°C.
However, the actual effectiveness of this system remains unverified.
It should be noted that France experienced four heatwaves last summer, with over 5000 deaths directly or indirectly attributed to high temperatures.
In response, countries like Germany, Australia, Italy, Canada, and the UK have stated their intentions to bring their own air conditioning units to France to cope with the hot weather.
Apart from water quality and environmental facilities, the Paris Olympics also face challenges in security and transportation.
Paris is an international metropolis with a large number of tourists, but it also poses certain security risks.
To ensure the safety of the Olympics, the French government will deploy a large number of police and security personnel, which has raised concerns among citizens about excessive security measures.
Especially against the backdrop of frequent terrorist attacks in recent years, the French government needs to balance security measures with the daily lives of citizens.
In terms of transportation, Paris's public transport system is already very busy during peak hours. During the Olympics, a large influx of tourists is expected, putting immense pressure on the city's transportation system.
To address this, the Paris City Government plans to increase the frequency of buses and metros, and establish dedicated Olympic transportation routes between major attractions and competition venues.
However, whether these measures can effectively alleviate traffic pressure remains uncertain.
The construction and maintenance of sports venues are another crucial aspect of Olympic preparation.
Despite having many historic sports venues, Paris still needs to construct and renovate a large number of venues to meet Olympic requirements.
However, slow construction progress and delays mean that many venues may not be delivered on time for use.
Furthermore, some completed venues have encountered problems during the trial operation, such as inadequate facilities and poor seating comfort.
If these issues are not resolved promptly, they will directly affect the smooth conduct of the Olympics and the viewing experience of spectators.
As a globally renowned sporting event, the Olympics have always been the focus of media attention.
The various problems encountered during the preparation of the Paris Olympics have naturally become a hot topic in media coverage.
Major media outlets have provided detailed reports on the preparation status of the Olympics, with some negative news being amplified, sparking widespread discussion and concerns in society.
Facing media scrutiny and social pressure, the Paris Organizing Committee and the French government need to handle issues more transparently and efficiently to gain public trust.
The 2024 Paris Olympics face multiple challenges such as incomplete infrastructure, concerns about Seine River water quality, improper implementation of environmental concepts, security and transportation pressures, slow progress in sports venue construction, and societal pressures.
These challenges not only put tremendous pressure on the French government but also raise doubts among athletes and the public about the successful hosting of the Olympics.
In the next month, the French government needs to swiftly take effective measures to address these issues, ensuring that the Paris Olympics can be held on schedule and be successful.
At the same time, as the host country, France should demonstrate its due sense of responsibility and organizational capabilities, presenting the world with a successful, environmentally friendly, and safe Paris Olympics.
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