The Paris 2024 Olympics bid committee is "proposing a strong eco-friendly plan that will slash carbon emissions by more than half compared to the last two Games in London and Rio," according to Karolos Grohmann of REUTERS. Three days before the third part of its bid book is submitted to the IOC, bid co-President Tony Estanguet said that Paris "had placed sustainability at the top of its list of priorities." The French capital is bidding for the Olympics along with L.A. and Budapest, with the IOC set to select the winning candidate in September. Estanguet said, "For us it is quite simple. Our vision is the most sustainable Games ever." Estanguet added that a Games held in France would produce an estimated 1.56 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, down 55% from the roughly 3.42 million tons created by the Rio 2016 and the London 2012 Games. Estanguet: "The experts we used to asses the project are exactly the same ones who evaluated the carbon footprint for the past Games." The use of existing venues and temporary structures has helped Estanguet believe that the bid's goal was "realistic, with the construction of an aquatics center regarded as the only new major legacy project." Public or shared transport would be used for 100% of spectators while 85% of athletes would be housed within 30 minutes of their competition venues. Two-time host L.A. is highlighting its "risk-free" plan, with the vast majority of venues and athletes' villages already in place, and minimal construction required. Budapest is proposing a model for "a medium-sized city as a choice that offers an alternative to traditional big cities of the past, paving the way for new potential bidders" (REUTERS, 1/31).
