What will be happening on Lille Metropole’s territory ?

Lille Metropole will have the privilege of hosting not one but two disciplines on its territory. As part of the 2024 Olympic Games, a total of 52 basketball and handball matches will be held at the iconic Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq between 27 July and 11 August. The Pierre Mauroy stadium is one of many high-level sporting infrastructures and equipments in the metropolitan area which have enabled our local authority to become a benchmark and a front-runner in the organisation of high-level sporting events. Going further, hosting these events is an illustration of Lille Metropole’s commitment to the core values of the Paris 2024 Olympics, which include organising an international sporting event of the highest standard, involving as many people as possible by making the event a major public celebration and an attractive spectacle for all, and leaving a lasting legacy of developing sport and inclusivity within the region in a sustainable manner.

Lille Metropole’s sporting policy : support for high-level events, sports and clubs balanced with inclusivity

By acting as host for these two disciplines, Lille Metropole is once again proudly demonstrating its ability and willingness to host high-level sporting events, as it has been doing for years. Recently, Lille Metropole has hosted the FIBA Eurobasket 2015, the 2017 IHF World Handball Championship, the Davis Cup, the Euro 2016, the Tour de France and, more recently, 5 Rugby World Cup matches.

In 2019, Lille Metropole was awarded the "Land of Games" (Terre de jeux) label by the Organising Committee of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in recognition of our commitment to making sporting activities a part of everyday life in the metropolitan area. This label was created to recognise the ability of local authorities and their sports stakeholders to enhance sport policies such as sport for all strategies and the construction of local facilities, as well as hosting events and supporting local athletes.

However, the municipality has also invested beyond the strictly sporting preparations in order to ensure that all spectactors will be able to enjoy this special occasion. Public transport will be reinforced throughout the event (not just to and from the stadium but throughout the city), information points will be set up and various side-events and activites will be available to those who come to Lille Metropole during the games. Furthermore, fans, friends and family are welcome to discover our rich territory, with many natural spaces being made available, restaurants and breweries preparing large quantities of local specialities and a variety of cultural events being organised. All this, with the help of local sport clubs, cultural outlets, metropolitan agents and hundreds of volunteers, will ensure this event will be unforgettable. We can’t wait !

Zoom on Lille Metropole’s ambassadors

Finally, we wanted to give a special shout-out to the local athletes which proudly fly the colours of Lille Metropole throughout their sporting seasons. Their names are Charles, Myriam, Pierre-Antoine, Audrey... and they train every day with the same goal in mind: to take part in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. These young hopefuls have been selected by Lille Metropole and its partners for their talent in basketball, waterpolo, athletics, BMX, rowing and cycling. This year, 18 of them will benefit from the support of the metropole as part of their preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Lille Metropole is home to many young athletes preparing to bring home medals from the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris and make the region shine on the international stage. The support scheme for young metropolitan athletes was set up for the first time in 2019 to support young athletes with the potential to reach Olympic and Paralympic level. To help them in their preparation, Lille Metropole set up the ambassadors programme, which includes financial support of €4,000, as well as support in achieving a dual sporting and professional or academic school project. It also puts them in touch with local economic players and help them to develop certain extra skills that go beyond sport, including digital communication, public speaking, group facilitation and leadership skills. We wish them, and all other participants, the very best of luck !

To keep up to date with all the latest news on the hosting of the Olympic Games in Lille Metropole, you can check out Lille Metropole’s webpage, the dedicated website, or the full press release available here (in French).