[2024 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES]

On the eve of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games (‘JOP 2024’), Law no. 2023-380 of 19 May 2023 (‘Law no. 2023-380’) has completed the legal framework established by Law no.2018-202 of 26 March 2018.

Dealing with sensitive issues relating to health and safety, the provisions set out in Law no.2023-380 are subject to compliance with the principles of proportionality, necessity and the protection of personal data (in particular Regulation (EU) 2016/679, known as the "GDPR", Law no.78-17 of 6 January 1978, known as the ‘Information Technology and Civil Liberties’ law, which was amended by Law no.2018-493 of 20 June 2018 relating to the protection of personal data), as well as public order ("ordre public").

⚖️ Health

In order to ensure that the members of the Olympic and Paralympic delegations and persons accredited by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) are provided with sufficient care, Law no.2023-380 envisages the establishment of a health centre in the Olympic and Paralympic Village called the "Olympic and Paralympic Polyclinic" ("Centre") set up and managed by the Assistance publique-hôpitaux de Paris ("AP-HP").

Doctors from international sports federations accredited by the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee or the Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games who do not meet the conditions required to practise their profession in France are exceptionally authorised to practise their profession:

- with regard to participating athletes at competition venues;

- with regard to staff and members of the delegation they are accompanying when accompanying delegations from international federations, bodies of the Olympic Movement or Paralympic Committees;

- to the Centre in the case of voluntary service.

In addition, veterinarians registered on a list drawn up by the Minister of Agriculture may exceptionally practise animal medicine and surgery as part of the preparation and running of the 2024 Olympic Games equestrian events, within registered veterinary care establishments and under the supervision of the 2024 Olympic Games Organising Committee.

In order to combat the practice of genetic doping by athletes during the 2024 Olympic Games to artificially boost their performance, a waiver of medical professional secrecy is provided for by Law no.2023-380. The laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency in France may now carry out genetic characteristic tests on athletes to prevent cheating in sport, restrictively in the event that other available techniques would not allow them to be detected. In this context, a test may be carried out between 23:00 PM and 05:00 AM in cases where there are serious and concordant suspicions of genetic doping and there is a risk that evidence enabling these facts to be established will disappear.

⚖️ Security 

Places and establishments open to the general public are particularly exposed to the risk of acts of terrorism or serious threats to personal safety. This applies not only to places used for major events and gatherings such as sporting, recreational or cultural events, but also to their surroundings, the public roads leading to them, and public transport vehicles and facilities.

Law no.2023-380 allows intelligent video surveillance to be trialled until 31 March 2025 in these high-risk locations. Images collected by authorised video surveillance systems or camera-equipped drones may be processed algorithmically to detect predetermined events (such as crowd movements, an abandoned bag or suspicious behaviour), without using facial recognition or other biometric or connected methods. These exceptional measures are strictly governed by Law no.2023-380. Similarly, imaging devices using millimetre waves (body scanners) are restrictively authorised for security reasons. Lastly, Law no.2023-380 strengthens the coordination of security forces and extends administrative security investigations, known as ‘screening’, to fan zones. The Paris Prefect of Police becomes the sole entity responsible for public order in the Île-de-France region.

In addition, a foreign student holding a residence permit may be employed to take part in a private security activity, with the application of an exceptional exemption to Sunday rest.

⚖️ Commerce

In order to meet the specific needs of the event, Law no.2023-380 provides for exemptions for advertising in the vicinity of historic monuments prior to the 2024 Olympic Games (particularly along the route of the Olympic flame).

It also provides for shops to be open on Sundays in the cities hosting the sporting competitions or their neighbouring cities from 15 June to 30 September 2024.

⚖️ Transport

With regard to transport, Law no.2023-380 contains provisions aimed at improving the accessibility of public transport and cycle paths, as well as adapted transport for disabled people. For example, companies operating wheelchair-accessible taxis are eligible to apply to the Paris Police Prefect for special parking permits. These taxis can carry a distinctive sign to make it easier for disabled people to spot them.

✅ The above measures mark a legislative adaptation that is necessary to ensure the success and safety of the 2024 Olympic Games. They underline the need for a fair balance between public health and safety and respect for individual freedoms, while ensuring a lasting legacy of exceptional events such as the 2024 Olympics.

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