Parisians lose enthusiasm ahead of Paris 2024 Olympics–poll

The countdown clock showing 366 days, one year to go until the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony, is seen near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, July 26, 2023. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

PARIS –Almost one in two Parisians believe hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics is a ‘bad thing’, with transport and security their biggest concerns, according to a poll eight months before the event.

Some 44% of Paris region residents expressed a negative opinion while 65% of French residents said having the Olympics in Paris from July 26-Aug. 11 was a ‘good thing’, the Odoxa poll for Winamax and RTL showed.

Some 1,207 Paris region residents, and 1,005 French residents were polled.

Two years ago, only 22% of Parisians had a negative opinion of the Paris Olympics while more than half of them are now considering leaving the region for the duration of the event.

By contrast, 64% of Parisians are confident that the opening ceremony on the Seine river will be a success.