The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are less than a year away, but a huge problem has arisen in the country that could impact those in the area of the event.
The country of France as a whole has been dealing with a widespread bed bug issue. A report earlier this year indicates that there are a startling number of bed bugs in French households.
According to the report by the French government agency ANSES, it was found that 11% of French households had been infested by bed bugs between 2017 and 2022.
Emmanuel Grégoire, the first deputy mayor of Paris, recently took to social media to address the concern, asking for Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne to organize a conference on the fight against the invasive species.
❌ Face au fléau des punaises de lit, il faut agir !
Je demande à la Première ministre @Elisabeth_Borne d’organiser des Assises de la lutte contre les espèces invasives. Il s’agit d’un problème de santé publique où tous les acteurs doivent être mis autour de la table.
— Emmanuel Grégoire (@egregoire) September 28, 2023
This is obviously a pretty big concern considering the number of high-profile athletes who are set to compete in the upcoming Olympic Games, a list that is seemingly growing.
Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James have all at least teased taking part, or have already announced that they are taking part in the upcoming games for Team USA basketball.
Kevin Durant says that he is playing in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) October 2, 2023
Lakers’ LeBron James says he’s interested in playing for USA Basketball at 2024 Paris Olympics: “I don’t think it would be too much of a physical toll. I wouldn’t have to do much. Rebound a little bit. Pass a little bit. Defend. Block some shots.” pic.twitter.com/Pq733mNlz0
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) October 2, 2023
“I want to be playing. It’s the one thing I haven’t done… I definitely want to be there. I definitely want to be on the team.”
Steph Curry says he wants to play for Team USA at the 2024 Olympics in Paris 👀pic.twitter.com/5GCwOIknAq
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 2, 2023
With that being said, fans are obviously growing concerned that this could be a big issue for the upcoming games.
I got a few bedbug bites from my trip to Paris last December. Very crowded subways, being intimately close with strangers from unclean households.
— Simone Cromer 🎥 🇮🇱 (@TheatreofZen) September 30, 2023
— salem (@louzerasalem) September 30, 2023
https://twitter.com/Shadia_H_M/status/1708753631665696808
If they have known about way before hand, why wasn't something done about it, before now?????
— Patricia Basham (@PatriciaBasham8) October 2, 2023
https://twitter.com/TermLimits4E1/status/1708682071999156481
Host cities are obviously determined far before they actually have to host the Olympics. So you would think that this is an issue that the city would have had under control by now. But that is seemingly easier said than done.
When asked about the potential issue affecting the games, first deputy mayor of Paris Grégoire largely brushed off the concerns.
“There is no threat to the Olympic Games,” Grégoire said via CNN. “Bedbugs existed before and they will exist afterward.”
[CNN]
