Posted on Sep 2, 2021, 3:39 PM
A shame! The territory which will host the majority of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games venues in three years is also the one where sports practice is one of the least developed. This is what emerges from the study by the Paris Region Institute published at the end of July on the “active, fun and sporting framework” project carried by Plaine Commune, which brings together 9 cities in the north-east of Paris (Aubervilliers, Epinay- sur-Seine, L’Île-Saint-Denis, La Courneuve, Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, Saint-Denis, Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, Stains and Villetaneuse). All labeled “Playgrounds”, these municipalities are committed to promoting sport for their inhabitants by 2024. Plaine Commune is working on several actions to develop practice there.
It is already a question of making up for the delay in terms of sports equipment. The study conducted by GBaslé Consultants on behalf of Plaine Commune counts 630 structures for a population exceeding 440,000 inhabitants in 2018, “ie a ratio of 15 facilities for 10,000 inhabitants”. Or half of the regional ratio, established at 29 facilities per 10,000 inhabitants. “However, the very strong demographic growth expected by 2030 and the low land and financial availability do not suggest a catching-up in the medium or long term” write the authors.
No physical activity
In addition, the data on the sports practices of the inhabitants show a certain disenchantment in the matter. 53% of the inhabitants of Plaine Commune aged 15 and over say they have a regular practice, against 62% at the regional level. And, 22% even say they do not practice any physical activity, against 14% at the regional level.
The territory will certainly benefit from the momentum created by the infrastructures of the Olympic Games. Plaine Commune concentrates most of the facilities that will emerge or be renovated in Seine-Saint-Denis. It will host the athletes’ village, between Saint-Denis, Ile-Saint-Denis and Saint-Ouen, but also three competition venues such as the renovated Stade de France (athletics and rugby 7), the new Olympic aquatic center , and the Terrain des Essences (sport shooting). Plaine Commune will also mobilize 17 training sites.
Fitness equipment
But offering equipment is not the only solution to encourage physical activity. This also requires an adapted urban development. The study points out the other possible levers: the development of open access spaces, public spaces welcoming to athletes, urban planning conducive to movement such as walking, play, active mobility (skate park, ball games areas , etc.). The encouragement of soft mobility is a solution with cycle and pedestrian networks, green corridors, or the creation of sports areas (multisports grounds, fitness trails, etc.).
“Believing that the installation of free-access fitness equipment everywhere in town makes sportswomen and sportsmen and women is a mistake” squeals Claire Peuvergne, director of the Regional Institute for the Development of Sport (IRDS) and co-author of the study . Combining all these aspects, the “plan of intention” of the framework plans to extend over 110 kilometers.
The health crisis, which has worsened sedentary lifestyle and public health problems, has reinforced this need to boost activity. “Physical inactivity alone would be responsible for 10% of deaths in Europe” recalls Claire Peuvergne. The initiatives had started this summer, with sports activities organized on 24 sites of the territory by the departmental committee of social works (CDOS) and the Department.
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