France spent more on securing the Paris 2024 Olympics than any other single item, with nearly half of all organisational costs allocated to keeping the Games safe.
France allocated $1.15bn (€1.44 bn) to security alone for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, making it the single largest item in a public bill that reached nearly €6 billion, according to a report published this week by the French Court of Auditors.
The interim report, based on data available as of March 31, offers the first full account of public spending tied to last summer’s Games. Organisational costs borne by the state and public bodies totalled €2.77bn, with security accounting for more than half that figure.
A further €3.19bn was invested in infrastructure, including sports venues, urban redevelopment and transport upgrades.
While the event was largely deemed a success in terms of public engagement and international visibility, the report sheds light on the scale of the French state’s involvement in staging the Games, particularly in areas not covered by the privately funded organising committee.
Security dominates public outlay
Security operations for the Games absorbed €1.44bn, 95% of which was funded by the central government. The budget covered the deployment of thousands of police and military personnel, surveillance operations and perimeter protections across dozens of venues and public sites.
Beyond security, the state also shouldered €570m in transport services for spectators and accredited individuals. This included reinforcement of urban mobility networks by RATP and SNCF, which covered the majority of operational upgrades.
Public health services accounted for a further €21.6m, while interministerial coordination added €14.3m to the tally.
These costs sat outside the official budget of the Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (COJOP), which operated with significant financial independence.
COJOP achieves surplus amid limited public support
The COJOP managed a €4.48bn budget, largely funded through private sponsorship, broadcasting rights and ticket sales. Public contributions were limited to €286.9m, representing just 6.4% of the committee’s total income. Most of this went towards underwriting the structurally loss-making Paralympic Games.
Despite initial concerns, COJOP is now forecasting a €28.6m surplus. The Court of Auditors noted that this would allow the state to avoid activating a financial guarantee for potential shortfalls.
Investment in legacy infrastructure takes centre stage
Much of the €3.19bn in infrastructure spending focused on long-term assets rather than temporary showpieces.
The Solideo agency oversaw delivery of most projects, including the Olympic and Paralympic Villages and the Media Village. Sports venues, training centres and related equipment accounted for €1.24bn, with local authorities providing three-quarters of funding.
Urban development projects consumed €839m, most of which was used for public works connected to village construction. The state funded nearly 70% of these costs. Transport infrastructure totalled €595m, covering both new builds and accelerated timelines for pre-existing projects such as Metro Line 14 and the EOLE express line.
High-performance sport and public engagement also funded
The report also highlights €421.7m allocated to supporting elite French athletes and public engagement efforts.
Of this, €80.3m went to the National Sports Agency’s high-performance programmes, including athlete preparation, coaching support and Olympic research. A further €341.4m was spent on public mobilisation, including France Télévisions coverage and regional outreach initiatives.
Questions remain over the Seine and final impact
One element excluded from the current accounting is the cost of the so-called “swimming plan” to make the Seine river safe for open-water events and public bathing.
Estimates range from €200m to €1bn, but due to attribution challenges, the figures have not yet been included. The Court called for further clarity on this and on the fiscal incentives related to the Games, which remain unquantified.
The economic ripple effects, both positive and negative, also remain under review, with a broader legacy report expected in 2026.
As France prepares to host the 2030 Winter Olympics in the Alps, the Paris 2024 Olympic spending report offers both a blueprint and a cautionary note. While the event avoided runaway costs and maintained a degree of fiscal discipline, it underscores the extent to which the state must intervene to meet operational, security and legacy demands.
The Court of Auditors urged greater transparency and early-stage fiscal planning ahead of future events, particularly where public guarantees are involved.
