In an investigation related to suspected corruption, French authorities conducted a search at the headquarters of Paris Olympic organizers. The national financial prosecutor’s office confirmed the search and stated that Paris 2024 is cooperating with the investigators to facilitate the investigation. The Paris organizing committee, located in the suburb of Saint-Denis, acknowledged the search but refrained from providing further comments on the matter.
This incident marks the third consecutive instance where the organizing committee of a Summer Games has been implicated in investigations led by anti-corruption authorities in Paris. Previously, allegations of vote-buying were associated with the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and the Tokyo Games in 2021, leading to the removal of several members of the International Olympic Committee.
According to an official from the financial prosecutor’s office, the searches are connected to two undisclosed preliminary investigations concerning the Paris Olympics. The official, however, cannot be publicly named due to the prosecutor’s office policy.
Le Monde newspaper reports that raids were not only conducted at the headquarters of Paris Olympic organizers but also at the offices of the public body responsible for Olympic infrastructure. Additionally, the headquarters of several companies and consultants associated with the organization of the games were also targeted in the raids.
Paris organizers have chosen not to provide any comments regarding these developments.
The investigations in question are divided into two separate cases. The first case was initiated in 2017, the same year when Paris was selected by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the host for the 2024 Games. This investigation focuses on allegations of misappropriation of public funds, favoritism, and concerns related to an undisclosed contract made by the Paris organizers, as stated by the prosecutor’s office.
The second case was initiated in 2022 following an audit conducted by the French Anti-corruption Agency. The prosecutor’s office has revealed that this investigation targets allegations of conflicts of interest and favoritism involving multiple contracts between the organizing committee and Solideo, the company responsible for Olympic facilities.
The Paris Olympics are set to take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
Interestingly, the raids occurred concurrently with a two-day meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board in Lausanne, Switzerland. The purpose of the meeting was initially expected to focus on praising the progress made by the Paris organizers.
IOC President Thomas Bach mentioned to reporters at the beginning of the meeting that it would primarily revolve around discussions related to Paris. He expressed optimism following the visit of the coordination mission to Paris, his own visit to France, where he met with President Macron, and interactions with the organizing committee, implying positive developments in those areas.
The IOC announced that it is expected to release a statement regarding the raids in Paris on Tuesday. This announcement will be made ahead of a previously scheduled online news briefing that will take place after the conclusion of the IOC executive board meeting.
While French sports have celebrated victories on the field, such as their triumph in the 2018 soccer World Cup, they have experienced significant turbulence in terms of leadership changes in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics.
Just recently, the president of the French Olympic Committee resigned following a period of intense internal conflicts. This prompted calls from Paris organizers for sports leaders to put aside their differences and focus on delivering a successful Games.
Furthermore, in February, Noël Le Graët stepped down as president of the French soccer federation after a government audit revealed concerns about his behavior towards women and his management style. Similarly, Bernard Laporte resigned as president of the French Rugby Federation in January after being convicted of corruption and illegal acquisition of assets, receiving a suspended prison sentence.
In October of the previous year, Claude Atcher was dismissed from his role as chief executive of the Rugby World Cup. This event is scheduled to take place in France in September and will also serve as a test for the country’s security preparations for the Olympics. Atcher’s removal followed an investigation conducted by French labor inspectors into his conduct in the workplace.