He continued: “The anticipation around the globe is really growing. People are fed up with all the hate, the aggression, the extremely negative news and the conflict they’re facing, day in, day out. And you really get the feeling that they, as we are, in their hearts, are longing for a positive message. They’re looking for something that unifies them in all these divisions and aggression, and they’re looking for something that gives us hope in these otherwise dark times.”
As part of Paris 2024’s updates to the IOC Executive Board, the Organizing Committee outlined their upcoming priorities. This includes delivering 13 further test events/operational activities, onboarding thousands of new staff members, training 45,000 volunteers, installing temporary infrastructure, and attending the lighting of the Olympic flame in Olympia in less than one month’s time.
The traditional lighting ceremony in Greece will mark the start of the final sprint towards the Opening Ceremony on 26 July. The Olympic Torch Relay will engage the entire French nation, visiting 400 towns and cities across 65 regions in the French territories.
In the wider context, the Executive Board heard that engagement remains strong, while Paris 2024’s sustainability and legacy initiatives continue to inspire. Only last week, the Paris 2024 Forum celebrated the transformative legacy of sport, highlighting the positive impact on French citizens of various initiatives linked to the Games.
The Executive Board also received reassuring updates from Michel Cadot, interministerial delegate for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, who detailed the French State’s continued preparations in relation to security, transport and safety, demonstrating the diligent work of the French authorities and their strong collaboration with international partners.
While the final phase of intense preparations approaches, the Paris 2024 team took the opportunity to reflect on their recent achievements. Over the past few weeks, several symbolic elements have been unveiled, boosting excitement among athletes, spectators and sports fans across the world.
This included last night’s announcement of the basketball groups and this evening’s football schedule draw, which can be followed live here. Paris 2024 also highlighted the unveiling of the Olympic and Paralympic medals and the iconic posters. In addition, the Organizing Committee received the keys to the Olympic Village at the end of February, while the Porte de La Chapelle Arena and the renovated Yves du Manoir stadium, used during the 1924 Games, were recently inaugurated.
Milano Cortina 2026
The IOC Executive Board was briefed on the latest Milano Cortina 2026 developments. This included updates on the progress of key projects being led by the infrastructure agency, Società Infrastrutture Milano Cortina 2026 (SiMiCo), for venues that will be used at the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
As part of this, the Organizing Committee members detailed the establishment of a dedicated monitoring unit tasked with providing regular reports to key stakeholders, aligning with their commitment to transparency and accountability.
It was noted that construction works at the Milan Olympic Village are proceeding ahead of schedule, with the main structure of the buildings already completed. However, the IOC Executive Board reiterated concerns about the timelines linked to the delivery of the sliding center in Cortina d’Ampezzo, while also emphasizing that construction work on the Livigno Snow Park, Predazzo and Cortina Villages, and Palaitalia Santa Giulia, for ice hockey , is facing very challenging timelines and cannot be delayed.
Following the infrastructure discussions, further progress was noted, including agreements with four new domestic partners since November 2023, and more expected in the coming months.
Looking towards the immediate future, the IOC Executive Board was updated on the World Broadcaster Meeting taking place in Italy this week. This event, which is being held in one of the host cities, Cortina d’Ampezzo, provides a platform for around 200 representatives of the Media Rights-Holders to receive important updates from the Organizing Committee and the host broadcaster, Olympic Broadcasting Services, on Games progress and broadcasting operations.
The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 are scheduled to take place from 6 to 22 February, followed by the Paralympic Winter Games from 6 to 15 March.
Before then, the Olympic Games Paris 2024 begin on 26 July and will continue until 11 August. Thereafter, the Paralympic Games will take place from 28 August until 8 September.