Paris 2024 has claimed the "spectacular failure" of a crowdfunding scheme to reach its target of €10M ($11M) "will not affect its budget and does not reflect the level of support for its bid among the French public," according to Duncan Mackay of INSIDE THE GAMES. French National Olympic and Sports Committee President Denis Masseglia claimed that “Je rêve des Jeux” -- which translates as “I dream of the Games” -- was an opportunity for French supporters of the bid "to engage." As of midnight Tuesday night, "the fund had reached just" €629,356 ($687,766). A further €34 ($37) "has been pledged" so far Wednesday. Paris 2024 claimed that the scheme "was not intended to help fund the bid," which has a total budget of €60M ($66M). A Paris 2024 spokesperson said, "'Je rêve des Jeux' campaign was never thought as a financing tool for the Paris 2024 bid budget. The financing of the bid is in place and agreed, and our budget is based on a robust economic model." The spokesperson said that the fact the scheme had so far raised less than 7% of its target before it is due to be closed on Dec. 31 "is not an indication of how much the French public are behind the bid." The spokesperson added, "Earlier this year, in an independent poll conducted by French newspaper, Direct Matin, 73% of those questioned declared that they supported Paris' bid for the Games" (INSIDE THE GAMES, 12/16).
