With less than 500 days to go before the next edition of the Games, preparation for Paris 2024 has reached another milestone. From 9 July, the testing programme will begin, with test events and operational tests taking place in venues that will host Olympic and Paralympic competitions.

On Thursday 6 April, Paris 2024 unveiled its testing programme which includes test events and a large number of other activities to fine-tune preparations for next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games. The test events are not a carbon copy of the competitions that will take place at the upcoming Games but aim to ensure readiness for the summer of 2024, when the eyes of the world will be focused on the sporting events in the capital of France. They will also help identify any adjustments needed to deliver Games that are as optimised as possible.

“We are in full preparation, and that's the right moment for an overview," said Chief Operation Officer Edouard Donnelly. "Test events are part of a global programme, which we internally call "readiness". The idea is to train the teams because we cannot fail at the Games, so we need to train a lot, we need to test all the decision-making processes and all the operational decisions."

A major part of the testing programme, the test events will be held in the 12 months leading up to the Games, with the last taking place in June 2024 (athletics and para-athletics at the Stade de France). The first event organised by Paris 2024 will see an international sailing competition take place at the Marina in Marseille from 9 to 16 July.

The Paris 2024 test event schedule has been carefully developed taking into account the unique requirements of each sport and the different Paralympic and Olympic competition venues, in close collaboration with the relevant International Federations and event delivery partners.

"This programme has two legs: the test events and the simulation work. What's a little different from previous Games is the fact we want to simplify and make sure we are sustainable in terms of environment and finances. That's why we have a testing programme adapted, sport by sport, on very specific points. These tests will not be full rehearsals of the Games, they will be a preparation in technical terms and regarding resources," added Donnelly.

Versailles

Paris 2024 testing programme: Three different types of test events

To address all of the requirements of Paris 2024, three types of test event have been defined.

Test events operated by Paris 2024: These events will be organised by Paris 2024. The international competitions were created to fill any knowledge gaps about select sports or venues. They include test events for sailing, triathlon and mountain bike.

Test events operated by International or National Federations: These events will allow Paris 2024 to test operations through events where other entities are responsible. One of these test events is focused on canoe slalom. Operational tests: These targeted events are organised by Paris 2024 and include specific behind-closed-doors tests with a limited number of invited athletes. Grand Palais, Versailles and Roland-Garros will host operational tests.

Photo: Paris 2024
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