(ATR) Construction begins Friday on a temporary venue that will allow cyclists to pass through Paris’ iconic Grand Palais during the final leg of the Tour de France on July 23.
Inaugurated in 1900, the Grand Palais has often served as a gathering place for people to celebrate art, culture and sport, hosting several art exhibitions, conventions and riding events. The building is located in the heart of the Paris 2024 Olympic bid’s venue plan along the River Seine and Champs Elysees.
Paris 2024 plans to utilize the landmark as the venue for fencing and taekwondo if it is awarded either the 2024 or 2028 Summer Games. The International Olympic Committee has all but guaranteed both Paris and its rivals Los Angeles will each host the Games as long as a tripartite agreement between the two cities and the IOC can be reached.
IOC vice president John Coates said that implicit in the agreement is that one of the cities would raise their hand for the 2028 edition. If not, the agreement will be scrapped and a traditional vote for the 2024 Games will be held Sep. 13 in Lima, Peru during the IOC Session.
The initiative to utilize France's most recognized sporting event as a promotion opportunity for Paris 2024 is the result of 10 months of collaboration between the Paris 2024 bid and Tour de France organizers ASO.
Prior to the cyclists arrival in the Grand Palais on Sunday, approximately 100 spectators and media will gather inside where they will witness sports demonstrations from six athletes. The demonstrations aim to provide a taste of what the Grand Palais might look like as a sports venue during the Olympics, according to Paris 2024.
The arrival of the peloton to the Grand Palais marks the venue's debut in the Tour de France. It is the grand finale of Paris 2024’s promotion along the 3,540 kilometer, 21-stage race. A representative from Paris 2024 has delivered the yellow jersey to the overall leader at the end of each stage, with bid co-chairman Tony Estanguet doing the honors at the end of the race.
The bid also utilized stage 12 of the race to hold a special ceremony at the 2,024 kilometer mark in recognition of the 2024 Games.
The race concludes on Sunday, July 23 along the Champs Elysees where Paris 2024 plans to stage the marathon, road cycling and triathlon events during the Games.
Chris Froome of Great Britain is seeking to defend his 2016 championship at the Tour de France and leads heading into the final weekend. A total of 198 riders from 22 teams began the race in Dusseldorf, Germany on July 1.
Written by Kevin Nutley
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