Nikola Karabatic: “after Paris 2024, we need to capitalize on its legacy”
One year after the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, one key question remains: what lasting legacy does this historic event leave for French and European society?
The latest issue of the Sport and Citizenship Review explores this question, highlighting both the tangible and intangible impacts of the Games and giving a voice to those shaping the future of sport.
Athletes, decision-makers, and grassroots actors share their insights. For French handball legend Nikola Karabatic, the challenge is clear: “After the Paris 2024 Olympics, which were a high point, we need to capitalise on their legacy. Sport should not be pushed into the background. It has a direct impact on our physical and mental health. It is time that France clearly confirms the place of sport at the heart of society.”
The Games’ impacts across several dimensions
More than just a sporting spectacle, Paris 2024 was a true laboratory of social, environmental, and economic innovation. This special issue looks back at the Games’ impacts across four major dimensions:
- Infrastructure: upgraded venues, new urban spaces
- Economy: job creation, regional growth, tourism boost
- Environment: sustainable innovation, reduced carbon footprint
- Society: inclusion, health promotion, social cohesion, and civic engagement
Through the publication’s various contributions, key questions emerge:
- How can sport be embedded into everyday life?
- What policies can ensure equal access for all?
- How can sport become a driver of social cohesion and innovation?
A call for action
Building on the Citizen’s Sport Conference held in December 2024 and its White Book, this 60th issue goes beyond assessment. More than a retrospective, it is a tool for inspiration and action, aiming to transform the Paris 2024 legacy into a lasting opportunity for societal change.
👉 Read or download the full issue now.
“A society where each person feels well physically and mentally is a more aware, more supportive, more committed society. Sport can be a powerful lever for building this society”. (Nikola Karabatic, handball Olympic gold medalist)
