François Chatillon reflects on the architectural legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as part of our Olympic Impact series.

The Olympics go hand-in-hand with architecture, with leading designers creating some of the most innovative and exceptional buildings, stadiums and public spaces of our times. From the "Bird's Nest" Olympic Stadium in Beijing by Herzog & de Meuron and Ai Weiwei to the Lee Valley Velodrome in London by Hopkins Architects, many of the most striking contemporary stadiums have been created in the name of the Olympic Games.
It may also be forgotten by many that from 1912 to 1948, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) handed out medals across five creative arts categories including architecture, alongside painting, sculpture, literature and music. So, it is no surprise that innovative architecture still plays such an important role. Unlike other games, some of these venues will never be used for sporting events again
However, there is a persistent issue with Olympic developments. What happens after the spectacle of the games has finished" Will these new "villages" become thriving new districts integrated into the fabric of the city, or become derelict monuments to the past, left forgotten and unloved"
The approach of Paris 2024 has drawn a lot of attention, with many (rightly) crediting the strategy to embrace a more sustainable Olympics, one that incorporates the events into existing structures and uses temporary st...