Olympic Games Paris 2024: Porte de la Chapelle Arena opens with great fanfare and pride
An important milestone on the way to Paris 2024 saw the opening of the Porte de la Chapelle Arena on Sunday (11 February), the host of badminton and rhythmic gymnastics at the XXXIII Olympiad, and the only new venue to be built in the centre of Paris for the Games.
The Porte de la Chapelle Arena was officially inaugurated on Sunday 11 February 2024.
A major milestone on the way to Paris 2024, it is the only new venue built in central Paris for the XXXIII Olympiad, and the first new Olympic site to be delivered and in operation.
“I think that what we will experience from now, it's already a taste of the magic of the Olympic Games,” said Anne Hidalgo, mayor of Paris, during a ceremony with elected representatives, guests and journalists from all over the world in attendance.
The venue, which has capacity for 8,000 spectators, will host badminton from 27 July to 5 August then rhythmic gymnastics from 8 to 10 August during the Olympic Summer Games in France. The venue will then host Para badminton and powerlifting at the Paralympic Games of Paris 2024.
But there was no waiting until then for locals to experience the future Olympic venue.
Ahead of the first ever event held in the Porte de la Chapelle Arena, a French basketball championship game between Paris and Saint-Quentin, a number of activities were organised to introduce local residents to the new cultural hub in their neighbourhood.
The queues, stretching out in the light rain by mid-day, symbolised the success of the event.
“This place is a real pleasure for all the residents of the 18th and 19th arrondissements”
The Porte de la Chapelle Arena is not just a competition venue but also houses two gyms to be used as warm-up areas for athletes during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Then, from September 2024, the facilities will be at the disposal of the schools and clubs in the area.
Fencing, wheelchair basketball and urban dance associations held promotional events for kids and their parents on inauguration day to showcase the type of facilities that will become available to them come Games' end.
“This place is a real pleasure for all the residents of the 16th and 19th arrondissements," said Marthe, who came from the 19th arrondissement with her son. "This kind of place is really important and nice for the life of the neighbourhood. It gives a nice picture of our popular neighbourhood.”
The Porte de la Chapelle Arena will not just welcome the world's best athletes to incredible facilities but will also help transform the north Paris area, with a major re-generation project also planned.
Several parks, green spaces, and more than 500 trees are set to be planted, and the Esplanade Alice-Milliat, named after the pioneer of women's sport, will be a key feature at the entrance to the Porte de la Chapelle Arena.
An Olympic legacy, indeed.
“This construction site is a formidable symbol, a formidable community-gathering place, and why we are hosting the Olympic Games," announced Amélie Oudéa-Castera, Minister for Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. "It's a sublime showcase for sporting performance, but it's also a superb demonstration of the dynamism that the Olympic Games can give to transformations that are long awaited.”
While speaking, a video showcasing the stages of the construction, which lasted only two and a half years, was broadcast on the Arena's giant screens behind the Minister.
Porte de la Chapelle Arena – challenges and pride
The boost from the Olympic Games has already had an impact on the construction of the Porte de la Chapelle Arena.
A plant to produce low-carbon cement, covering the roof with vegetation, minimising energy consumption thanks to a district cooling plant, and paying particular attention to the recycling of waste have all helped to reduce the environmental footprint of the works.
The 8,000 seats, which are waiting to host sports-enthusiasts, have been made using recycled plastics. Accessibility has also been key, with the Porte de la Chapelle Arena adapted to be inclusive of those with disabilities such as the visually and hearing-impaired.
A sensory room – the first of its kind in an arena in France – is also available for those spectators with behavioural or autistic concerns.
This unprecedented approach is a source of pride for all those involved in the construction of the Porte de la Chapelle Arena, from elected representatives to project managers.
But it is the excitement of the people living in the area that brings the most joy.
On inauguration day, kids were running from one activity to the next; outside, the first fans of Paris Basketball, the resident club post Games, were lining up for the historic match.
The Porte de la Chapelle Arena was buzzing, and dozens of people waited patiently for a guided tour.
“I'm mesmerised!" enthused local resident Jacques. "The Olympic Games are coming here, in the neighbourhood where I was born. This is amazing.”
The first of many amazing days in the revived Porte de la Chapelle region.