Paris 2024’s positive impact on health and wellbeing in France

The research was conducted by experts from the Centre de Droit et d’Economie du Sport (CDES) of Limoges, the Pluricité group and the Phare Agency, in collaboration with the Ipama and Sport.1.5. It follows the new guidelines from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which have been developed to help measure the long-term impacts of global events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In line with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) strategic roadmap, Olympic Agenda 2020, the Paris 2024 Legacy & Sustainability strategy has set out to establish a new model for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Organisers have pledged to deliver an event that is more socially responsible, sustainable and inclusive.

The interim report analysed the social and environmental impact of the Paris 2024 Games, covering measures carried out in the summer of this year. Initiatives were aimed at promoting physical activity among young French people, and these have been particularly successful according to the report.

Some 80% of young people do not meet the recommended guideline of 60 minutes of physical activity per day for five- to 17-year-olds, according to the World Health Organisation. In France in particular, 37% of children between the ages of six and 10 and 73% aged 11-17 do not reach the recommended hour of being active.

Paris 2024 worked with the French Ministry of National Education and healthcare experts to implement 30 minutes of exercise at school every day, with all 36,250 primary schools set to participate in the programme. Meanwhile, the report revealed that over 8,700 schools and higher education establishments had been awarded the Génération 2024 label, meaning the institutes had worked with local sports clubs and governments to support the development of sports practice.

Additionally, three million young people have already taken part in the Olympic and Paralympic Weeks, which has been designed to promote sport amongst young people.

Outside of schools, the Bouger Plus programme has benefitted more than 600,000 people. The scheme was designed to get everyone in France moving, and prioritises schoolchildren, women, those with disabilities, senior citizens and groups that tend to be less active or socially excluded.

Image: Anupam Mahapatra on Unsplash