Paralympic Games: Station Afrique Officially Opens

The mayor of Île-Saint-Denis, Mohammed Gnabaly, will officially open the much-talked-about Africa Station, located at a specific area within Robert Caesar Park, on the night of July 20th, 2024, in the presence of the Presidents of the Africa Paralympic Committee (AfPC) and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).

Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics, Île-Saint-Denis will be transformed into Africa Station, a fan zone dedicated to African culture and sport. The site will host broadcasts, colourful animations, concerts, shows, exhibitions, and meetings with athletes throughout the Olympics and special events during the Paralympic Games on the 7th and 8th September 2024.

Thanks to the opening of Africa Station, Île-Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis) will pulsate with the vibrant energy of Africa during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This one-of-a-kind fan zone, a stone’s throw from the Stade de France, is set to be a unique meeting point and a celebration of sport and African culture.

Africa Station is more than just a fan zone. It is a vibrant space where Ile-de-France residents and tourists are not just spectators but active participants. You can witness the presentation of medals by African champions and partake in a variety of sports and cultural activities. In partnership with the Maison de l’Afrique, the site will offer exhibitions, concerts, and various activities that showcase the rich traditions and dynamism of the African continent, providing a unique opportunity for active engagement.

The initiative, led by the city of L’Île-Saint-Denis and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ACNOA), aims to create a bridge between communities and celebrate diversity. The Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, expressed her enthusiasm for this project, calling it a “formidable space for celebration” that will strengthen the links between Seine-Saint-Denis, the Games and Africa, making everyone feel included in this celebration of diversity.

The choice of L’Île-Saint-Denis to host Africa Station is not insignificant. The city, an integral part of the Olympic territory and part of the athletes’ village, is profoundly transformed. The mayor, Mohamed Gnabaly, sees this project as an opportunity to instil pride and confidence in its inhabitants in the future while creating lasting links with African youth.

Accessibility is at the heart of the Africa Station concept: the site will be free for most activities, except for some major concerts. The equipment of the Robert-César stadium, transformed for the occasion, will also include commercial and restaurant spaces, offering a complete immersion in African flavours and crafts. This free accessibility ensures that everyone feels welcome to join the celebration.

In summary, Africa Station promises to be the essential meeting point for those who wish to experience the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics under the banner of diversity and fraternity. With a program rich in emotions and discoveries, this fan zone, expected to attract over thousand three hundred people daily, promises to leave a legacy far beyond sporting exploits.

Program planned at Africa Station:

• Animations and sports competitions

• Exhibitions and cultural events with the Maison de l’Afrique

• Concerts and shows

• Meetings with athletes

Africa Station is part of the broader framework of the 239 fan zones planned in France for the Games. It focuses on Seine-Saint-Denis, which will also host the principal place of celebration at the La Courneuve departmental park.

This project is a testament to the  2024 Olympics and Paralympics’ commitment to celebrating diversity and strengtheninglinks between cultures, inspiring us all to appreciate and learn from each other’s unique heritage—Jules Decombes narrates https://information.tv5monde.com/afrique/video/sport-la-station-afrique-de-lile-saint-denis-2732263.

Source NPC Ghana