Connect with us

Nigeria Premier League

Paris 2024: French towns say ‘non merci’ to Olympic torch relay over cost concerns

Citing costs, departments across France have turned down the chance to be in the world’s spotlight. So, how much are they being asked to pay and is it worth it?

The eyes of the world will turn to France in July 2024, as the summer Olympic Games begins with a spectacular opening ceremony on the River Seine.

Before that, the Olympic torch embarks on a two-month journey around the country, after criss-crossing the globe on its way from Mount Olympus in Greece, to the French capital.

But this Olympic tradition is turning into a headache for organisers, with towns and cities saying a polite ‘no merci’ to a visit from the Olympic flame torch relay, citing the high costs involved.

Departments have been asked to fork out €150,000 – amounting to €180,000 with taxes included.

At least 10 of France’s 96 mainland departments – the administrative rung below the regional level – have formerly declared that they won’t be hosting the torch.

Sparking tensions
Citizens of the Rhône department in southeastern France – where the country’s third largest city Lyon is located – will not be catching a glimpse of the torch.

It’s a cause for frustration for some.

In a statement released by the Rhône branch of Emmanuel Macron’s youth supporters, ‘Les Jeunes avec Macron’, the department garnered criticism for a decision supposedly made on environmental grounds.

“The narrow-mindedness of environmentalists who confuse the fight against global warming with an environmentalist puritanism that would ban all forms of festive spirit”.

However, these are not the reasons that the department and city stated.

“Asking for 180,000 euros from each department does not make any sense. Some departments are smaller and others are less robust. It would have been more logical for regions to organise financing of the torches at the regional level in order to ensure territorial equity”, stated Bruno Bernard, President of the Lyon Metropole.

“We would naturally have liked to host the flame, however the economic conditions required by the Olympic Committee – 180 000 euros for an activity which lasts only one day, seem unreasonable in terms of public action”, he added.

Prioritising local sport
Christophe Guilloteau, President of the Rhône region spoke out against hosting the flame as early as January 2022.

He told Euronews “on top of this expense there is the cost of the activities which will compliment the torch’s relay. The Rhône Department would rather invest in local events, and support the sports industry on our territory.”

The departments of les Vosges, la Meurthe-et-Moselle, l’Indre-et-Loire, le Lot-et-Garonne, la Creuse, la Haute-Loire et la Haute-Vienne, la Loire-Atlantique, les Côtes-d’Armor et l’Orne have all declared they will not be hosting the flame.

“This sum is more than of my subsidies to fund sport events over the whole year”, Ludovic Gouyette, vice-president of the Côtes-d’Armor department told France Bleu Armorique. The department is located in northern Britanny.

Why this cost?
The organising committee for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Cojo, said a “very large majority of departments have already welcomed” the flame, adding that the €150,000 ensures that the torch crosses “the maximum number of territories” on its way to Paris.

Cojo underlines that the torch’s relay is funded “for the most part by the committee and its partners”, stating that it will go ahead no matter what.

In January 2023, the French government announced that the part of public funding for the games would increase to €2.4 billion.

According to a study by the Paris 2024 Olympics could generate €10.7 billion in economic benefits and produce 250,000 jobs.

However, the cost of hosting the Olympic Games has skyrocketed in recent years. As fewer and fewer countries bid to host the huge multi-sport event, the International Olympic Committee has called for a reform of the process of selecting the host city.

Past glories
France has previously hosted the Olympic games on five occasions – and twice to date in Paris.

Chamonix, located in the Haute-Savoie department will be hosting the flame: a moment in history as the ceremony will take place 100 years on from the Chamonix 1924 Olympics.

The cities of Grenoble and Albertville also hosted the winter games in 1992 and 1968 – but they won’t be reviving past glories. Located in the Savoie and Isere departments, local leaders once again chose to pass on the chance of hosting the flame.

“Hosting the Tour de France has already allowed to gain more visibility from the population”, at “a must lower cost”, stated Frédéric Burnier Framboret, Mayor Albertville in an interview with l’Equipe.

However, the organisers insist that the relay will “offer a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on the regions of France, its heritage and savoir-faire… villages and iconic locations will benefit from the focus of the Games to reveal themselves to the world.”

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Nigeria Premier League

NPFL: No Respite For Abdallah Yet As Kano Pillars Extend Suspension Of Technical Adviser

 

The Management of Kano Pillars FC, under the leadership of Chairman Alhaji Ali Muhammad Umar, has extended the suspension of its Technical Adviser, Usman Abdallah, until after the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 28 fixture against Kwara United.

This decision was reached during a management meeting held on Sunday at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata.

 

The extension follows a request from the committee set up to investigate the matter, chaired by the club’s Disciplinary Committee Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Danjuma Gwarzo, which is yet to conclude its findings.

As a result, Chief Coach Ahmed Garba Yaro Yaro will continue to lead the team in the upcoming fixtures against Akwa United on Wednesday, Rangers International at the weekend, and Kwara United on Match Day 28, pending further decisions regarding Abdallah’s return.

The club remains committed to upholding professionalism and discipline as it continues its campaign in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

 

Continue Reading

Nigeria Premier League

Rangers Edge Remo Stars, Heartland Pip Shooting Stars in Dramatic Ties

Rangers Edge Remo Stars, Heartland Pip Shooting Stars in Dramatic Ties

Despite the loss, Remo Stars maintained their lead on the log with 48 points, while Rangers moved up to fourth position with 38 points.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday 24 fixtures were concluded on Sunday with three games spread across the country.

The ties produced some thrilling encounters, with Rangers International FC and Heartland FC securing crucial victories over Remo Stars FC and Shooting Stars Sports Club respectively.

Rangers edge Remo Stars

Rangers International FC secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Remo Stars FC at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Sunday.

Midfielder Saviour Isaac opened the scoring for Rangers in the 30th minute, expertly converting a free kick from outside the 18-yard box.

Rangers doubled their lead in the 48th minute, courtesy of a well-crafted goal involving CHAN Eagles’ Kenneth Igboke and Kingsley Maduforo.

Remo Stars reduced the deficit in the 85th minute, through Sikiru Alimi but it was too little too late to salvage the outcome of the match.

Despite the loss, Remo Stars maintained their lead on the log with 48 points, while Rangers moved up to fourth position with 38 points.

Late Drama in Owerri

Heartland FC of Owerri secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan at the Dan Anyiam Stadium on Sunday.

Chukwuma Agor had opened the scoring for Heartland in the 31st minute, but the Oluyole Warriors equalised through a penalty kick in the 81st minute.

However, Heartland were awarded another penalty kick in the dying minutes of the game, which John Bassey successfully converted, despite initial controversy surrounding the referee’s decision.

Despite suffering back-to-back losses, Shooting Stars remained second on the log with 40 points from 24 matches.

Other result

In another match played on Sunday, Bendel Insurance secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes.

The concluding results of the matchday 24 encounters have shuffled the NPFL standings, setting the stage for more thrilling encounters in the coming weeks.

Premium Times

 

Continue Reading

Nigeria Premier League

Nasarawa United Appoints Ex-Super Eagles Coach Yusuf

Nasarawa United Appoints Ex-Super Eagles Coach Yusuf

Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) strugglers, Nasarawa United have announced the appointment of former Super Eagles Chief Coach, Salisu Yusuf, as their new Technical Adviser.

He replaces the erstwhile manager, Kabiru Dogo, whose second stint at the club has been anything but successful.

The club in a statement released yesterday said: “We wish to announce that we have mutually agreed to part ways with Technical Director, Kabiru Dogo, effective immediately.

“This decision has been made following a thorough review of the club’s performance in the 2024/25 NPFL season, where we have fallen short of our expectations.

“Due to the precarious situation of the club, we have decided to appoint former Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, Salisu Yusuf to take charge of the team immediately.”

On his part, Dogo, appreciated the management for the opportunity to serve and wished the club the best in the tasks ahead.

Speaking to Daily Trust, the newly appointed CAF ‘A’ licenced coach expressed his readiness for the rescue mission at Nasarawa United.

He said: “I am aware of the precarious position of the club but I am ready for the challenge.

“It is not going to be easy but having been around for some time, I believe I can help Nasarawa United to navigate their way out of the red zone.

“I call on the teeming fans of the club to continue to remain unwavering in their support. By the special grace of God, Nasarawa United won’t be relegated.”

Nasarawa United presently 18th position on the NPFL table with 26 points from 24 matches.

 

Continue Reading

Trending