Collage via Canva Pro courtesy of Sydney Allen. Image via Youtube screenshot.

When envisioning Paris, most people think of relaxing afternoons in cafes, scenic views of the Eiffel Tower, and strolls along the Seine. However, with the arrival of the 2024 Summer Olympics, visitors in Paris are being greeted by heavily armed French Legionnaires, unmanageable crowds, and large swaths of the city blocked off, including much of the Seine River. The 2024 Summer Olympics will run from July 26–August 11 and, while athletes prepare to duke it out in the ring, track, and court, political competitions and controversy are unfurling below the surface. 

Parisians are famous for their protests, and this event is their time to shine, with some even dubbing the 2024 Olympics, “The Protest Olympics.” There have been plenty of demonstrations in the lead-up to the Games, with activist groups arguing that the Games are displacing poor people in France and inviting in far more people than the saturated capital can handle, deeply inconveniencing locals. Some have argued that this displacement constitutes “social cleansing” and claim that the Parisian government has displaced over 12,500 people in the last year in preparation for the Games, most of whom were low-income people and unhoused people, migrants, and vulnerable minority groups. Activists have also highlighted the contrast between the lavish spending on Olympic preparations — over USD 8.2 billion — and the pressing social issues within the city, such as housing shortages and economic inequality.

Paris is also struggling to balance sustainability alongside the logistical demands of hosting this global spectacle. While the city has touted its cleanup effort — including spending USD 1.5 billion to clean up the notoriously foul Seine River — activists have argued that the newly erected Olympic Village, with its massive environmental footprint, could have negative environmental implications that far outlast the hoopla of the games.

The political nature of the Olympics is not new. Historically, the Games have often been a stage for political statements and actions, from boycotts to symbolic protests. The Paris Olympics are no exception, as numerous civil society groups prepare to take to the streets on the day of the opening ceremony — despite the armed guards stationed throughout the city. 

This year’s Games are also taking place against a backdrop of tense global political dynamics. Many question why Israel is still being allowed to participate in the sporting event amid its ongoing war on Gaza, even as Russia is forced to sit out due to its war on Ukraine. Further controversy arose when French investigators linked a smear campaign ahead of the games to Azerbaijani officials. The Olympic Committee has also stirred controversy and alienated Muslim athletes around the world by preventing its athletes from wearing hijabs at the 2024 Olympics. These factors have created an environment where the Games are more than just a series of athletic competitions — they are a reflection of the broader political and social landscape.

The Games, while a celebration of human achievement and unity, also serve as a reflection of the complex political dynamics and conflicts that shape our world. This special coverage will explore these controversies in depth, examining the intersections of sport, politics, and society.