Paris Olympics: Repurposing millions for lasting legacy
On the occasion of the Paris Olympics, the topic of spending millions on things that will be useless after the games returns like a mantra. However, as demonstrated by the example of London, which hosted the event in 2012, with a bit of imagination, even the Olympic rings can still be used today.
The Olympic Games are the biggest celebration of sports, with thousands of athletes gathered in one place and millions of viewers watching on television.
However, the cost of organizing the Olympics is enormous, and many investments lose value right after the games. This is the case, for example, with the vast Olympic rings, which are a permanent element of the event but become unnecessary to anyone after its conclusion.
It is no wonder, then, that many opponents of hosting the Olympics in a given city point out the unprofitability of this investment. This is also the case in Paris, where the topic of how money is spent keeps recurring. However, it turns out that some of the costs incurred can be recouped in non-obvious ways.
Benches at the station, recycling, and reducing facilities
As it turns out, life after the Olympics is perfectly illustrated by the example of London, where elements reminding one of the Olympics could be seen at almost every turn.
The huge Olympic rings, seen at the St. Pancras International railway station, made particularly large impressions.
They intrigued internet users. Despite 12 years since the start of the London Olympics, the rings can still be found in the same place. How is that possible? Right after the event ended, they were taken down and cut into pieces, creating comfortable benches for travellers. This fact recalled on the occasion of the Olympics in Paris, amazed many internet users, who have expressed this in numerous comments.
A slightly different approach was taken in the case of the rings hanging on Tower Bridge, as they were recycled.
