Olympic Rings Permanently On The Eiffel Tower? How The Paris Mayor Lost The Plot

-OpEd-

PARIS — The splendor of the City of Lights, packed stadiums, air-tight security .... Parisians being nice to tourists?! Clearly, the Olympic Games have done something right for the city of Paris. From a lavish opening ceremony on the Seine to a general embodiment of the Paris est une fête spirit through the summer, with French people as enthralled by the events as the crowds of visitors. Even with the arrival of September, enthusiasm has not abated.

Yet all good things must come to an end, and on September 8, the festivities will conclude with the closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games. Still, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo apparently hasn't gotten the memo.

In an interview over the weekend, Hidalgo announced that the Olympic rings displayed on the Eiffel Tower were there to stay permanently, adding that she had the approval of the International Olympic Committee. She told French daily Ouest France that she “wants the spirit of celebration to remain.”

French people, she declared, “have fallen back in love with Paris — I like it, after 10 years of bashing and saying it would be hell."

Reading between the lines, it seems there are some old axes to grind for the Mayor, who was under fire for the Olympic planning and spending — and Hidalgo made a point of defending her decision to attempt to hold events in the long-polluted Seine by being among the first to go for a swim. It was, perhaps, a lot to swallow.

But can a political vendetta against her naysayers justify hanging a permanent reminder of her accomplishments on one of the world's most iconic structures? Mais non!

Hidalgo’s legacy

Sure, hosting the city’s first Olympic Games in a century was a challenge that came with its share of criticism. Students kicked out of their student housing, billions spent to clean the Seine, homeless people and refugees displaced ahead of the games, residents asked to work from home or leave the city: the months leading up to the festivities did not play in her favor.

Hidalgo's announcement has ruffled their feathers.

The mayor also intends to keep other iconic elements from the games to display across the city, as a permanent reminder of the event. The ethereal Olympic Vasque will keep on rising above the city until Sept. 8, and Hidalgo expressed her wish to keep the "extraordinary" object after the event, in a yet-to-be-determined location. The metal horse that seemingly ran across the river during the opening ceremony will also be kept displayed, as well as the ten golden statues of historical women, which are expected to be moved to the 18th arrondissement.

The reactions to Hidalgo’s decision are just starting to come in. Rachida Dati, current Minister for Culture and mayor of Paris’ 7th arrondissement, pointed out in a tweet that the Eiffel Tower is a protected landmark. "(It's) the work of an immense engineer and creator," Dati wrote, calling for "respect for its architectural gesture and its work"

"The hanging of the Olympic rings had exceptionally been exempted... but on a temporary basis."

One commentator on social media quipped: "LOL: Looks like someone doesn't want to take down their Christmas decorations"

A fragile landmark

The installation of the current 30-ton rings were the result of a number of engineering studies in order not to damage the tower, but were meant to stay temporarily. Hidalgo did mention that the permanent rings would be “bigger, but lighter” in order to be more durable.

The Eiffel tower’s state and conservation is an issue in itself. In February, a strike led to a six-day shutdown, as workers protested the management of the monument and accused the operating company SETE of putting profit above all else.

The world now knows there is something unique about la tour Eiffel

What would Gustave Eiffel say to the Paris mayor’s plans for his tower? According to the Association of Descendants of Gustave Eiffel (Adge), Monsieur Eiffel would not be too keen. The Adge published a statement speaking against the use of the tower to display “the symbol of an external organization, whatever its prestige”, adding that it is “not a billboard”.

It is worth noting, however, that the Eiffel Tower was once used a giant advertising billboard: From 1925 to 1934, French car manufacturer Citroën had its name in giant illuminated letters on three of the tower's sides — the tallest such sign in the world at the time — before being taken down due to Citroën’s financial difficulties.

It's our party

But that was a long, long time ago. The world now knows there is something unique about la tour Eiffel, the quintessential Parisian monument, the ultimate beacon in the City of Lights. Parisians may act indifferent to the tower most of the time, but Hidalgo's announcement has ruffled their feathers and reactions have flooded social media. It is their town after all, and such a big change and its most notable monument will not go unnoticed or uncriticized.

The mayor’s legacy does not need five colorful rings to be remembered. From an added 550 kilometers of bike lane, 155,000 trees planted throughout the cities to roads closed to turn the river banks into pedestrian areas, Hidalgo has transformed Paris in the past decade, and not without trouble.

If indeed Paris is a party, it is on its own terms.

But the Olympics are meant to be a temporary event (how about a compromise of removing the rings when The Los Angeles Games 2028 kicks off?) and whatever festive spirit they have brought to the capital will not remain just because the symbol still floats above the Champs de Mars.

If indeed Paris is a party, it is on its own terms and whenever Parisians decide so. At least the Olympic medalists get to take a part of the tower home with them. As for the tourists who come back after the Games are over? We'll try to be nice, but no promises.