Paris 2024 Observers Programme kicks off with FAs

Paris 2024 has started its intense preparations for the Observers Programme (OBP), which will provide future organisers with the unique opportunity to experience, learn from and observe real Games operations next summer. Recently, the hosts “onboarded” all their Functional Areas (FAs) that will help deliver the programme.

In June, Paris 2024 held a series of workshops to introduce the OBP to the future presenters from each FA. The kick-off meetings brought together more than 70 people to discuss the Paris 2024 OBP concept. These were followed by two weeks of intense, collaborative working sessions between the IOC and the Paris 2024 OBP team and FAs.

During these two weeks, the OBP teams conducted 40 individual meetings to engage all FAs in the programme. The IOC presented the first version of the activity plans based on the activities previously identified by the IOC FAs. Subsequently, over the summer, the Paris 2024 FAs reviewed all the plans to offer a reliable and consistent programme, providing for the best learning experience possible.

The meetings proved to be a success: the Paris 2024 FAs were impressed with the work accomplished in preparation for the meetings and appreciated the collaborative spirit with the IOC.

Trofym Anderson, Manager for Games Insights & Learning at the IOC, who is overseeing the OBP, echoed that feeling. “Kicking off the Observers Programme is always an exciting milestone, as it means the Games are just around the corner!” he said. “The meetings with the Paris 2024 FAs were extremely productive, and every FA came with exciting ideas for their activities. We are confident that the Paris 2024 edition of the OBP will be exciting and offer new opportunities to learn through innovative activities.”

Based on the feedback of the FAs, the IOC is now building the detailed schedule that will be shared with future OCOGs over the next few weeks.