Introduction
The 2024 Paris Olympics promise to be a spectacle of athletic prowess and innovation. From record-breaking performances to cutting-edge technology, the games will showcase the pinnacle of human achievement. But beneath the dazzling facade lies a foundation of essential materials, and among them, stainless steel is poised to play a crucial role in this year‘s Festival of Sports.
PARIS La Défense Arena
Paris La Défense Arena, a massive venue opened in 2017, is about to take on a new challenge: hosting swimming events for the 2024 Olympics. Despite being built for other purposes, the arena's modular design allows for significant adaptation.
(The pool walls are chromium-rich alloy panels hot-rolled with a PVC laminate and bolted together)
This transformation is thanks to Italian pool specialist Myrtha Pools. Their innovative solution comes in the form of two temporary, stainless steel swimming pools installed in a remarkable 36 days. These 50-meter long pools will be used for swimming, water polo, and Paralympic swimming events.
Myrtha Pools' design utilizes 47 tons of their patented stainless steel components. The core starts with a steel base frame secured to the arena's foundation. The pool walls themselves are comprised of chromium-rich alloy panels, hot-rolled and laminated with PVC, then bolted together for a sturdy yet flexible structure. These panels are further reinforced with steel buttresses anchored to the concrete, creating a stable yet adaptable pool. The finishing touches, such as tile, glass, or stone, can be customized for each project. An additional benefit is Myrtha's overflow gutter system, included with the pool.
(Myrtha starts with a steel base frame forming the pool’s perimeter, chemically anchored to the concrete footing)
Myrtha touts several advantages to their system. It produces 50% less CO2 emissions compared to traditional concrete pool construction, and the flooring membrane is 100% recyclable after the games are over. Roberto Colletto, CEO of Myrtha Pools, emphasizes the key role their technology played: "Our advanced technology and materials enabled us to meet the 36-day challenge, ensuring the best experience for athletes and spectators."
Paris 2024 Torch Relay cauldron
Crafted by French designer Lehanneur, the Torch Relay cauldron was inspired by the Torch’s essence, integrating its distinctive elements: the simplicity of form, vibrant colors, and the fluidity of water’s texture. With a singular base, three supporting structures, and an almost ethereal ring, the cauldron’s pristine form mirrored the graceful curves of the Torch, symbolizing the spirit of peace embodied by the Flame and the Games.
(The cauldron has been unveiled for the Paris 2024 Torch Relay. Paris 2024 Press)
(French surfer Michel Bourez lighting the cauldron in Place To'ata, on June 13, 2024)
The cauldron shared the radiant hue of the Torch, blending gold, silver, and bronze tones, featuring a glossy finish on its lower sections and a matte finish on the upper sections. “The Torch, the Torch Relay cauldron and the Olympic Cauldron were not separate objects,” said Lehanneur. “They were chapters in one great story. Each embodied the spirit of the Paris Games. The cauldron took the form of a ring of fire suspended above a liquid surface. Both pure and magical, it seemed to float and was reflected in its metallic base. If the Torch was a sacred fire that was passed on, the cauldron was the object around which we gathered and which united our energies.”
From the Mediterranean Sea to the Seine, spanning the journey from the Torch Relay through the Opening Ceremony stage of the Olympic Games and competition venues, the significance of water in the Paris 2024 Torch Relay and Games was represented by wave and ripple effects adorning both the Torch and the cauldron’s base.
