Row over plan to keep Olympic rings on Eiffel Tower
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has sparked controversy by expressing her desire to keep the Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower after the summer Games conclude. The five interlaced rings, representing the continents, were installed over 200 feet above the ground between the tower's first and second floors this summer. "I want the two to remain married," Hidalgo told Ouest-France newspaper. While some Parisians supported the idea, others, including heritage campaigners, argued it would "defile" the iconic French monument.
To maintain festive spirit: Mayor Hidalgo
The five Olympic rings—29m wide, 15m high, and weighing 30 tonnes—were initially planned to be removed after the Paralympics' closing ceremony on September 8. However, Hidalgo expressed her desire to keep the interlaced rings of blue, yellow, black, green, and red. She added the current rings were too heavy and would be replaced with a lighter version. Hidalgo also remarked that "the French have fallen in love with Paris again" during the Games and wished to maintain "this festive spirit."
Mayor Hidalgo's correspondence with President Macron
Hidalgo has informed President Emmanuel Macron of her decision to make the Olympic rings a permanent fixture on the Eiffel Tower, stating that it is "part of our national cultural heritage." However, she clarified that as mayor of Paris, the final decision rests with her. She also mentioned securing approval from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for this move. The city of Paris owns the Eiffel Tower and holds a majority stake in its operating company.
Parisians' mixed response to mayor's announcement
Some Parisians and visitors to the French capital supported the mayor's decision. "The Eiffel Tower is beautiful, and the rings add color. It's nice to see it like this," said a young woman named Solène to France Bleu. However, local resident Manon disagreed, calling it "a really bad idea." He argued, "It's a historic monument. Why defile it with rings? The Olympics are over; we should return the Eiffel Tower to how it was before," he told France Bleu.
Hidalgo's controversial reforms in Paris
Since taking office in 2014, Mayor Hidalgo has introduced several bold and sometimes controversial reforms in Paris. She pedestrianized many streets, including the Seine's banks, and last year, she won a city referendum to ban rental electric scooters, though only 8% of voters participated. In February, she succeeded in raising parking rates for SUVs, despite criticism from drivers' groups and opposition figures. Just before the Paris Olympics, Hidalgo and officials swam in the Seine to demonstrate its safety.
