There is a brewing controversy in Paris following the Olympic Games, one which involves the most iconic symbol of the city.
Prior to the start of this year's Olympic games, the Eiffel Tower was adorned with the iconic Olympic rings. It was a nice touch, and everybody agreed that it was fitting, with both the Olympic and Para-Olympic Games being hosted by Paris this summer. It was agreed that the rings would adorn the Eiffel Tower, and then be taken down.
As it turns out, however, Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, has a plan to keep the Olympic rings as a permanent fixture on the Eiffel Tower. She declared that during the Olympic Games that "the French have fallen in love with Paris again." So it made sense, in her estimation, for "this festive spirit to remain".
"The decision is up to me, and I have the agreement of the IOC [International Olympic Committee]," she told the Ouest-France newspaper over the weekend.
"So yes, they [the rings] will stay on the Eiffel Tower," she added.
Not everyone is particularly happy about this plan, though. In fact, it has created a controversy, as people are seriously divided about this.
That includes the family members of Gustave Eiffel, the creator of the iconic landmark. They believe that the Eiffel Tower was not necessarily constructed to become the equivalent of an oversized billboard.
However, it should be noted that it actually did have a gigantic ad, if you will, for a number of years. French car company Citroën was written prominently on the Eiffel Tower back in the 1920's. It lasted just a couple of years, but it certainly was there, and there are pictures of the image to prove it.
Of course, controversy over changes in the Parisian cityscape and architectural additions is nothing new for the city. The Eiffel Tower itself was once controversial, with many people initially viewing it as a monstrous addition to the city. One famous writer declared that his favorite spot was under the tower itself, because he claimed that it was the only spot in the city where you did not have to look at it. Some viewed it as a "skeletal building" early on. More recently, the addition of the Pyramid of the Louvre also courted controversy, with some people believing it to be a "scar on the face of Paris," suggesting that it detracts from the rich architectural history of the building it now serves as an entrance to.
What do you guys think? Would the presence of the Olympic Rings be a welcome permanent addition to the Eiffel Tower? Or should they be up there only as long as the Olympics and Para-Olympic Games were being hosted by the city, and no longer than that?
For my part, I am not sure. Although I will admit this much: I am hoping to get to Paris at some point next year. And I, for once, hope that they will remain on the Eiffel Tower for at least that long, because I really would like to see those rings on the tower when I get there next!
Row over plan to keep Olympic rings on Eiffel Tower by Jaroslav Lukiv of BBC News, 2 September, 2024:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1w7203pxgvo
Eiffel’s family oppose keeping Olympic rings on his famous Paris tower by Hannah Thompson Published tuesday 03 September 2024:
The mayor says it is a ‘beautiful idea’ but the engineer’s descendants are not so sure The family of Gustave Eiffel is not convinced that the Olympic rings should stay
https://www.connexionfrance.com/news/eiffels-family-oppose-keeping-olympic-rings-on-his-famous-paris-tower/676705
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