Nearly all assets from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, including six million items of equipment, uniforms, and furniture, are being repurposed to benefit local communities and support a circular economy.
The 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games have given away nearly all of the 1.2 million pieces of sports equipment used during the events. Ninety percent of the six Nearly all assets from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, including six million items of equipment, uniforms, and furniture, are being repurposed to benefit local communities and support a circular economy.million pieces of sports equipment and assets — including uniforms, furniture, and technology — are being reused or redistributed, underscoring the Games’ commitment to a circular economy.
As part of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games’ sustainability strategy, 75 percent of the 1.2 million pieces of sports equipment were rented, while the remaining 300,000 items were purchased. These purchased items are now being donated to French sports organizations to enhance local sports infrastructure and encourage physical activity. Key beneficiaries include underserved communities, particularly in areas like Seine-Saint-Denis, where sports facilities are scarce.
The innovative approach aligns with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Olympic Agenda 2020, which prioritizes minimizing environmental impact while maximizing social benefits. Paris 2024, the first Games fully embracing these reforms, demonstrates how global events can serve as models for sustainability. “From Seine-Saint-Denis to all corners of France, Paris 2024 is demonstrating that sport has the power to build a better world, one community at a time,” said Marie Sallois, Director of Sustainability at the IOC.
“Paris 2024 has set a powerful example for future hosts. The Games are proving to be a living embodiment of Olympic Agenda’s focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and legacy,” said Sallois.
A blueprint for future games
Paris 2024 embraced the principles of the Olympic Agenda 2020 by ensuring that 95 percent of its venues were either temporary or pre-existing. The only new constructions addressed long-standing infrastructure gaps. For example, the Olympic Village and Aquatics Centre were developed in the northeastern suburbs of Paris to meet local needs and benefit underserved communities.
In Seine-Saint-Denis, efforts have focused on creating opportunities for physical activity. Sand from the Eiffel Tower stadium, used for beach volleyball events, will be repurposed into three new courts at the Marville departmental park, with an additional court planned in nearby Taverny. Meanwhile, the skateboard street area and temporary pools from La Défense Arena will be relocated to the region, providing critical facilities for swimming and skateboarding.
French sports federations are also among the major beneficiaries. The French Volleyball Federation will receive equipment such as balls, nets, and sports flooring, while the French Badminton Federation will gain gear to bolster its Olympic and Paralympic programs. These contributions aim to support athletes at all levels, from grassroots participants to elite competitors.
The Paris 2024 Organizing Committee has extended its sustainability efforts beyond sports equipment, conducting a comprehensive review of other assets to minimize waste. Partnerships with charities like Emmaus, the Red Cross, and the French Popular Relief have facilitated the redistribution of items such as furniture and uniforms to vulnerable communities. Among the highlights is the donation of approximately 50,000 furniture items from the Olympic Village, including 9,000 mattresses and 11,000 pillows, to Emmaus.
For fans and collectors, Paris 2024 has introduced “Big Sales of the Games,” offering thousands of items used during the Games, from ceremonial objects to athletes’ towels, these sales provide the public with an opportunity to own a piece of Olympic history while supporting the Games’ circular economy goals.
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