With 10,500 participants and about 200 National Olympic Committees preparing for a great event from July 26 to August 11, the hype for the Paris Olympics 2024 is thickening. Now, imagine the effect of a million tourists on top of the local Parisian populace—a presence that goes beyond clapping and cheers.
To address the issue with their unique lens, two individuals are becoming the newest sensations with their contributions to the celebrations. Though the unavoidable trash produced raises environmental concerns, their inspiring story of sustainability and creativity is just around the corner.
Paris Olympics 2024 might surprise with two Eiffel Towers
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This is the story of 38-year-old carpenter Frederic Malmezac and his creative collaborator, 46-year-old Sylvain Bouchard, from western France. According to Reuters, they used recycled wood instead of standard supplies to create a 16-meter (52-foot) high replica of the iconic Eiffel Tower.
With a goal in mind and a mission statement, they hope to showcase their piece at the Olympic site during the Summer 2024 Olympic torch relay to leave their stamp on this historic athletic event. Beginning in September 2023, the two set out to build this miniature version of the Eiffel Tower, using about 825 pieces of recycled lumber.
Malmezac shared the vision: “The project was to build a wooden Eiffel Tower replica using as much recycled material as possible … to show that with material due to be thrown away, we can build great things.” As they work through the bureaucratic challenges, the duo is excited to present their creation—close to Olympic venues—unfazed by the recent news surrounding the monument.
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Eiffel Tower operators in trouble
The Eiffel Tower in Paris has a different trouble than the wooden one. The famous building, which receives about seven million tourists a year, is now closed for a second day in a row due to a staff strike over issues with financial management. Yesterday, Gulf Today reported that the staff started a strike on Monday over financial mismanagement and has extended it further. Unions have criticized SETE, the Eiffel Tower operator company, and accused SETE of creating financial instability by underestimating building costs and exaggerating potential tourist numbers.
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The CGT and FO unions have jointly released a statement urging the mayor of Paris “to be reasonable with their financial demands to ensure the survival of the monument and the company operating it.” Now, will the spirit of sustainability prevail over economic strife, or will the famous tower remain silent in the run-up to the Games? While everyone waits for the big opening event, the Parisian drama continues.
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