France Leverages Paris 2024 Olympic Legacy to Boost International Sports Economy

On June 30, 2026, Paris hosted the 12th edition of the Rencontres Internationales des Grands Événements Sportifs (RIGES) at Business France's headquarters, focusing on turning the Paris 2024 Olympic experience into international business opportunities. This event gathered key figures such as Louis Margueritte, General Director of Business France, and Marina Ferrari, Minister of Sports, alongside industry leaders, to strategize on exporting French expertise in areas like site security, spectator management, digital technologies, and temporary infrastructure.

Business France, pivotal to the country's economic internationalization, highlighted the importance of early engagement in global sports projects, often even during host country candidacies, to secure contracts. Following the prior year's success with 230 participants and over 70 business meetings, the 2026 event facilitated discussions, roundtables, and B2B meetings, focusing on promising markets including India, Thailand, and North America.

The event underscored France's endeavor to maintain and expand its footprint in the lucrative global sports market by capitalizing on the legacy and skills forged through Paris 2024. Business France's initiatives already generated €2.5 billion in additional export revenue for French SMEs and mid-sized enterprises in 2025, reflecting a strong foundation for future growth.

This strategic push demonstrates France's commitment to transforming Olympic legacy into sustainable economic development and international competitiveness in the sports sector.