The iconic Chateau De Versailles just outside of Paris will be the venue for all three equestrian disciplines at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games from 27th July – 6th August 2024, with Eventing the first competition at the venue.
As outlined at the FEI Sports Forum in April, no formal Test Event will take place at Versailles, but a two-day operational test event was held at the iconic venue on Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 August 2023.
This gave 20 National Federation representatives alongside an FEI delegation, key equestrian technical officials and Paris 2024 Eventing Course Designer Pierre le Goupil a chance to check out the venue and discuss logistical operations with just under one year to go to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“We are really pleased with how this operational test event and update on preparations turned out”, said FEI Games Operations Director Tim Hadaway after The Palace and Park of Versailles were the backdrop to an operational cross country test event that provided a taste of what’s to come for riders, horses and spectators
“All the participants were able to get a feel for the cross country course, and especially see how the ground is being carefully prepared to ensure the best possible conditions for the horses and the athletes next year during the Games.
“The grandeur of the venue deserves the greatest care and attention, and we are confident the Paris 2024 Organising Committee and their delivery partners alongside the Palace will deliver an iconic venue which is not only fit for our sport, but also respectful and representative of the history and heritage this site commands.”
Testing specific areas of the cross country at Versailles
The first day was dedicated to testing specific areas of the cross country course, assessing the footing and groundworks which have been underway for over a year, and introducing the National Federations to the venue and the layout of the future infrastructures that will welcome the athletes as well as tens of thousands of fans in 2024.
Several riders and horses were on hand to demonstrate some obstacles, with the pontoon crossing of the Grand Canal providing the highlight of the day as they galloped across the temporary structure purpose-built for the test event, with blue skies and the iconic Versailles Palace in the background.
“We’re a year away from the Games, and we’ve already been working on the track for over a year, so as not to damage anything” says Etienne Thobois, Director General of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, with the emphasis on ensuring that “the track conditions, particularly when it comes to the jump take-offs and landings, are consistent and of good quality”
Designed by France’s Pierre Goupil, the cross country course at Versailles will be 5,300m long with an optimum time of 9min 18sec, include 25 obstacles including three water jumps and two temporary pontoons
As at Greenwich Park, the equestrian venue for the London 2012 Olympic Games, the site at Versailles will be returned to its original state after Paris 2024
“The site must be restored just as it used to be," said Versailles Palace President Catherine Pégard “And I believe it will be even more beautiful, because we’ll have improved access, and we’ll have worked to make the gardens even more attractive”
Logistics and infrastructure
The second day of the operational test event moved indoors with Paris 2024 presenting the delegates and a large online audience with a comprehensive review and update on the logistics
This included the surrounding venue and sport infrastructures, access, the Olympic village, transport, vet and grooms’ accommodation, accreditation, horse arrivals and departures, stabling and stable services, medical and veterinary facilities and hospitality services among others.
Find out more about the planning in these areas here
