As the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris approaches, the city is undergoing significant changes. According to a recent report, French authorities have removed thousands of homeless individuals and vulnerable people from the streets of Paris over the past year.
The report, published by advocacy group Le Revers de la Médaille, details the removal of over 12,000 homeless from the capital between April 2023 to present. It accuses city officials of “social cleansing” by forcibly relocating those considered “undesirable” in an attempt to empty Paris of certain populations ahead of the major international event.
In addition to the homeless, hundreds of migrants living in informal housing settlements have also been evicted and transported elsewhere in France. While the city aims to welcome athletes and spectators from across the world next summer, many lifelong Parisians now find themselves unwanted in their own hometown.
Negative public opinion of the Olympics within the city has grown substantially over the past two years. A 2021 poll found 21% of residents expressed reservations, but that number rose to 44% by 2023. Locals view the Games primarily as a money-making opportunity for corporate partners that brings much disruption but little lasting benefit.
Faced with overcrowding concerns on public transport and soaring costs of living, some Parisians have chosen to leave voluntarily during the Games period through remote work or temporary relocation. However, the report indicates thousands have had no choice in being forcibly displaced pre-Olympics under the guise of “beautifying” the city.
As the year countdwon to the Paris 2024 extravaganza continues, the Olympics dream has become a nightmare for many of the capital’s most vulnerable forced to sacrifice their homes and livelihoods to accommodate the grand spectacle.
