Paris 2012 announced plans Wednesday to turn the city’s Champs-Elysees boulevard into a gigantic temporary athletics field complete with swimming pool.
The Financial Times reports that Paris city council has voted to spend $1.2 million (900,000 euros) and raise an estimated 1.1 million euros more to turn the heart of Paris into a vast demonstration of Olympic sports on June 5.
Paris’ 2012 bid committee said the initiative had come from the city council, but bid spokesman Jerome Lenfant said the event could prove important in the city’s campaign. “When we say the country is backing the bid, this is exactly the kind of picture that could convince (the Olympic committee)”.
About 300,000 to 400,000 people who are expected to turn up will be offered the chance to participate in any of 28 Olympic sports with some of France’s best-known sports celebrities. There will also be an open-air concert at the end of the day.
