The 2024 Paris Olympics; a celebration of excellence and history

The 2024 Paris Olympics are currently underway, and Team GB has already amassed an impressive collection of medals, placing us near the top of the medal table. This event is not just a celebration of athletic prowess but also a chance to experience the rich cultural and historical tapestry of Paris, often referred to as ‘the City of Love.’ With millions of visitors each year, Paris captivates with its charming cafes, world-class museums, and remarkable architectural landmarks, the most iconic of which is the Eiffel Tower.

Designed by Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower stands at 330 meters (1,083 feet) tall and remains the tallest structure in Paris. Constructed for the 1889 International Exposition to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution, the tower initially sparked controversy. Many Parisians found the design ridiculous and ugly, and some doubted the feasibility of building a structure of such unprecedented height.

Eiffel faced the daunting challenge of creating a tower that could withstand the elements—wind, rain, snow, salt spray, and thermal expansion. His solution was a lattice framework of iron trusses, comprising over 18,000 individual parts. Despite concerns from engineers and professors about its stability and potential to collapse, the tower proved to be relatively light for its size, weighing a total of 10,100 tons.

The design phase of the Eiffel Tower was more time-consuming than its construction. With up to 300 workers on-site at any given time, thanks to Eiffel’s innovative safety measures (including movable gangways, guardrails, and screens) only one worker tragically lost his life during the building process. Remarkably, the tower was completed in just over 2 years and came in under budget. In 19th-century Europe, it was hailed as the greatest structural achievement of its time.

In 1991, the Eiffel Tower was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, a testament to its cultural and historical significance. Each year, millions of visitors flock to Paris to witness this marvel of engineering and to experience its breathtaking views.

Having learned more about this incredible feat of engineering, I am even more excited to visit Paris. The Eiffel Tower is not just a symbol of Paris, but a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance. When I visit, I will make it a point to appreciate this fascinating structure up close, marvelling at its history and the vision that brought it to life.