Roland Garros racing to finish Paris 2024 rebuild

As the French Open concluded with Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz (20) celebrating his victory, a new challenge began at Roland Garros: transforming the iconic red clay courts into Olympic venues in just a few weeks. Selected in 2016 as one of the 41 sites for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Roland Garros now faces the demanding task of meeting the rigorous standards set by the International Olympic Committee and Paris 2024 organizers.

With only six weeks to turn the Grand Slam tennis site into a stage for the world’s biggest sporting event, the clock is ticking.

The transformation will involve creating a “clean venue,” where all Roland Garros branding is concealed and replaced by the Olympic rings and the host city’s logo.

Christophe Fagniez, deputy director general of the French Tennis Federation in charge of the Olympics project, describes the change as a combination of “camouflage and exhibition.”

By July 20th, when athletes start training, Roland Garros will be adorned in the vibrant colors of the Olympic Games.

First, the team must dismantle food stands, entertainment areas, and anything branded with Roland Garros that can be removed.

The Olympic makeover will intensify until mid-July. Afterward, a thorough security check will prepare for the athletes’ arrival.

While the six-week timeline is more generous than the three weeks allocated for Wimbledon’s transformation for the London 2012 Games, the challenge remains significant.

“We have very, very little time to do it,” Fagniez said. “Roland Garros spans 12 hectares with 12 courts. Other venues might have a single field of play, maybe two or three, but we have 12.”

Inside the courts, over 250 items need replacing, including umpires’ chairs and LED advertisements, which will be swapped out for tarpaulins featuring the Olympics look.

Despite the extensive changes, some familiar elements will remain. The statue of 14-time champion Rafael Nadal will stay, providing a comforting sight for fans, though the Spaniard’s participation in the Games is uncertain after his early French Open exit.

Even as the Philippe-Chatrier Court adopts its Olympic colors, its distinctive moucharaby wall bearing the name of Roland Garros will remain visible. The iconic “RG” logo will also stay on the thousands of seats across the courts.

Tennis Result

“It’s a stadium with great historical and sporting power, so we couldn’t erase everything,” Fagniez explains.

After the tennis tournament, the main Philippe-Chatrier Court will undergo yet another transformation to host the Olympic boxing finals over five evenings, marking the end of an extraordinary summer for this storied venue.

Selected in 2016 as one of the 41 sites for the Paris 2024 Olympics
Six weeks to transform the Grand Slam site into Olympic venues
“Clean venue” concept to hide Roland Garros marks with Olympic branding
Christophe Fagniez oversees the project, describing it as “camouflage and exhibition”
Transformation to be completed by July 20th for athlete training
Extensive changes needed, including replacing over 250 items on the courts
Some familiar elements, like Rafael Nadal’s statue and the “RG” logo, will remain
Philippe-Chatrier Court to host Olympic boxing finals after the tennis tournament