International Construction Law Review
OLYMPIC GAMES: IS PARIS 2024 LESS WELL ORGANISED AND EQUIPPED IN PROCUREMENT THAN LONDON 2012?1
Gabriel Armanet*
Senior Consultant, FTI Consulting, Construction Solutions – Forensic and Litigation
ABSTRACT
The Olympic Games are schedule-driven megaprojects which often receive criticism caused by their cost overruns. In 2024, Paris will host the Olympic Games, as London did 12 years before it. This article explores organisation and procurement practices which influence the success of any project. For procurement, it discusses the contracts forms: “NEC3” and “CCAG” used to procure the public works for the Games. This article addresses the known and prospective effects of these factors on the successful delivery of the Games. It also addresses the impact of the recent Covid-19 pandemic on French procurement law and the Paris Games.
INTRODUCTION
The summer Olympic Games are among the greatest sporting events. For the construction industry, the Games represent tremendous opportunities to contribute to important urban changes.2 The London Games was a showcase for the UK construction industry and the third suite of the New Engineering Contract (NEC3) because all the conditions were met to make the project a success: collaboration, good management, and favourable market conditions.3 The works were delivered on time, within budget, and without disputes.
This article addresses the current situation for the Paris Games in 2024 and explores how well Paris is prepared to ensure the success in terms of
* Gabriel Armanet, Senior Consultant, FTI Consulting, Construction Solutions – Forensic and Litigation, email: gabriel.armanet@fticonsulting.com. Gabriel graduated with Merit at King’s College London MSc in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution. Since 2019, Gabriel is Senior Consultant for the Construction branch of FTI Consulting, working for the Forensic and Litigation team based in Paris. Greetings are expressed to Anthony Lavers, David Mosey, and King’s College London. The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not necessarily the views of FTI Consulting Inc, its management, its subsidiaries, its affiliates, or its other professionals.
1 This article is based on dissertation submitted in 2019 for the MSc degree in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution at King’s College London, and which received the UK SCL prize in 2019, and the European SCL second prize in 2020.
2 Sir John Armitt, “London 2012 – a global showcase for UK plc”, DCMS, July 2012, page 5.
3 Cornelius, M, Fernau, J, Dickinson, P and Stuart, M, “Delivering London 2012: procurement”, Proceedings of ICE, May 2011, page 39.
Pt 2] Olympic Games: Is Paris 2024 Less Well Organised and Equipped
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