Will French Conservatives Boycott the 2024 Paris Olympics?

The 2024 Paris Olympics are facing growing opposition from various groups in France, who are unhappy with the government’s policies, the cost of hosting the Games, and the perceived lack of respect for the national symbols and heritage. Some of these opponents have threatened to boycott the Games or disrupt them by posing as fake volunteers.

The facts

The Paris Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024, followed by the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8. They will feature 33 sports and 339 events, with new additions such as breakdancing, skateboarding, surfing, and climbing. They will also aim to be the most sustainable and environmentally friendly Games ever, with a low carbon footprint and a high use of renewable energy and public transport.

The arguments

One of the main sources of discontent is the pension reform enacted by President Emmanuel Macron, which raised the retirement age from 62 to 64. This sparked months of protests and strikes across the country, involving workers from various sectors, including transport, education, health, and culture.

Some of these protesters have also expressed their rejection of the Olympics, which they see as a waste of money and a distraction from social issues.

Another point of contention is the design of the Olympic logo and map, which some conservatives have criticized for being too “woke” and erasing the French identity. The logo, which features a stylised image of the Olympic flame and the face of Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic, has been accused of being too feminine and resembling a dating app icon.

The map, which shows the locations of the Olympic venues, has been denounced for omitting the cross on top of the Invalides, a historic monument and military museum, and for not displaying the French flag.

Some of the opponents of the Olympics have taken their opposition to the next level by planning to sabotage the Games from within. A group of anti-Macron and anti-Olympic activists, who call themselves “un-volunteers”, have applied to be part of the 45,000 volunteers who will work without pay at the Games.

They intend to not show up for work or to cause trouble during the events, hoping to embarrass Macron and the organisers. They claim to have the support of up to 40 countries, including the UK, the US, and Canada, who could also boycott the Games.

The organisers of the Paris Olympics, however, have dismissed these threats as insignificant and isolated. They say that the majority of the French people are supportive of the Games, which will showcase the city’s recovery from the 2015 terrorist attacks and its cultural and environmental diversity.

They also add that they have received more than 200,000 applications for volunteers and four million requests for tickets, indicating a high level of interest and enthusiasm. They have also defended the logo and the map, saying that they reflect the modern and inclusive spirit of the Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has also expressed its confidence in the success of the Paris Olympics, which will be the first to be held in the French capital in a century. The IOC has adopted a resolution to support the Olympic Truce for Paris 2024, which calls for the promotion of peace and dialogue through sport.

The IOC also said that any boycott would only punish the athletes, who should not be discriminated against because of their nationality.