Raising metro prices, cleaning filthy river: Paris rushes final touches ahead of summer Olympics

PARIS: Organisers of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games aim to bring this year's biggest sporting event into the heart of the City of Light.

Some of the French capital’s most iconic landmarks are set to play host to various events, including fencing in the redeveloped Grand Palais, archery in Invalides, and beach volleyball right next to the Eiffel Tower.

With three months to go, organisers say the Games are on time and on budget. The athletes' village is ready, final touches are being made to venues, and logistics are in place to welcome the more than 15 million tourists expected to descend on the city.

However, there have been problems in the build-up.

Subway prices are set to almost double for visitors during the Games.

A single journey metro ticket will cost €4 (US$4.30). A new pass called the Paris 2024 pass – which allows commuters to travel across the entire Ile de France region, including Paris – will cost €16 euros a day.

Normally, single journeys cost €2.10 and a monthly pass costs €84.10. Locals with a monthly or annual pass will not be affected. 

Transport authorities have faced criticisms that the price hike exploits tourists. However, they said the increase will help them cope with the anticipated surge in visitor numbers.

There have been fears that Paris’ transport system will not be ready to meet the influx, but the region’s president Valerie Pecresse has denied these claims.

“The prices will go up so that the Olympics are 100 per cent accessible by public transport,” she said. “Public services have a cost and pretending otherwise is a lie. It’s a fair price.”

The most ambitious part of the Games will be the nearly four-hour-long opening ceremony.

Athletes from around the world will be ferried by 160 boats along a 6km