The celebration of sports comes at a heavy cost for the homeless, as they were thrown out of the city before the 2024 Paris Olympics. The French government has been displacing thousands of homeless immigrants out of the city lately.
According to media reports, French President Emmanuel Macron wants the Olympics to showcase France’s best, but the Olympic Village itself is in a poor area with many homeless people. Over the last year, police have evicted thousands of people, mostly men, with promises of housing elsewhere from these places.
Olympic Village is a housing complex designed or repurposed specifically for the Olympic Games. It is located in or near the host city and aims to accommodate all the athletes, officials, and trainers participating in the Games.
Immigrants shifted to unfamiliar cities
The homeless say they were told they’d get homes, but many ended up far from Paris in unfamiliar cities. Some worry they might even be deported.
Government denies the claim
The government denies the displacement of the immigrants is linked to the Olympics, but emails show officials targeting areas near Olympic venues.
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Why is this happening?
Paris doesn’t have enough shelter, and the government is trying to ease the pressure. The government claims it’s voluntary, but some homeless people felt forced onto buses by police.
The programme itself has issues. People weren’t always aware it could lead to deportation checks, which doesn’t help those who already have refugee status. Many end up back on the streets after temporary shelter stays.
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