Row over plan to keep Olympic rings on Eiffel Tower

In a recent development in Paris, a significant debate has emerged regarding the future of the Olympic rings that have been displayed on the Eiffel Tower. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has expressed her desire to keep the rings on the iconic structure even after the conclusion of the Olympic Games. In an interview with the Ouest-France newspaper, she stated, 'The decision is up to me, and I have the agreement of the IOC,' referring to the International Olympic Committee. This declaration has sparked a mix of support and opposition among the residents of Paris. While some citizens are in favor of the rings remaining, others, including heritage advocates, argue that it would tarnish the historical significance of the Eiffel Tower. The Olympic rings, which are a vibrant combination of blue, yellow, black, green, and red, symbolize the unity of the five continents. They were installed on the Eiffel Tower prior to the opening of the Paris Olympics on July 26 and were initially scheduled to be removed following the Paralympics' closing ceremony on September 8. However, Mayor Hidalgo has indicated her intention to keep the rings, suggesting that they will eventually be replaced with a lighter version due to their considerable weight. The mayor believes that the spirit of the Olympics has rekindled a love for Paris among its residents, and she wishes to maintain this festive atmosphere. Supporters of the mayor's decision, like a young woman named Solène, have expressed their approval, stating, 'The Eiffel Tower is very beautiful, the rings add color. It's very nice to see it like this. ' On the other hand, local resident Manon has voiced her disapproval, calling it 'a really bad idea. ' She argues that the Eiffel Tower is a historic monument and should not be altered with the addition of the rings. Manon believes that the time for the Olympics has passed, and it is time to restore the Eiffel Tower to its original state. Additionally, social media user Christophe Robin has criticized the mayor for not consulting the public before making such a decision. He reminded everyone that the Eiffel Tower once featured a Citroën advertisement from 1925 to 1936, which was also a controversial change at the time. The Eiffel Tower, constructed in 1889 for the World's Fair, faced significant criticism from Parisian artists and intellectuals when it was first built. However, it has since become a beloved symbol of the city, often referred to as the 'City of Light. ' Mayor Hidalgo, who has been leading Paris since 2014, is known for her bold and sometimes contentious reforms. Under her leadership, many streets in the city, including those along the banks of the Seine River, have been transformed into pedestrian-friendly areas. Last year, a vote was held regarding some of her initiatives, but the turnout was disappointingly low, with fewer than 8% of eligible voters participating. In February, her plans faced backlash from both drivers' groups and political opponents, who claimed that the classification of certain vehicles as SUVs was misleading and would negatively impact many families. France's Environment Minister, Christophe Béchu, described the surcharge as 'punitive environmentalism. ' Just before the Paris Olympics, Mayor Hidalgo and other officials even took a dip in the Seine River to demonstrate that it was safe for swimming. However, during the Olympics, heavy rainfall caused issues with water quality, leading to concerns about swimming in the river.