Alcohol Restrictions at the Paris Olympics 2024

As the 2024 sports events of the Paris Olympics are fast approaching, the City of Light is buzzing in preparation and excitement for the culmination of all sporting events. Athletes are prepping for top-of-the-line competition, venues are making last-minute tweaks, and fans from around the world are anticipating a summer of thrilling competition. But amidst the chaos of preparations, another topic is generating buzz — there’s no alcohol for sale at the Games.

The ban on alcohol sales and advertisements at the Paris 2024 stadium makes an impactful statement on public health and safety, as alcohol and sporting events are a familiar duo. Let’s explore how these alcohol restrictions are set to reshape not only the Olympic experience but also more mindful celebrations and future events.

Alcohol and the Olympics

Alcohol and sporting events can be traced back thousands of years ago. During the ancient Grecian Olympics, red wine was plowed down by not only the spectators but also the athletes. While this is no longer the case, alcohol continues to be an integral part of sporting events — partially attributed to the big brand advertising and sponsorships from major alcohol companies.

Global sporting events have become not only the pinnacle of sports competitions for athletes but also highly-anticipated entertainment for fans (which many like to watch with a bit of booze in hand). While this keeps vendors and fans content, the data from alcohol-related harm suggests otherwise.

Aside from the 2024 Paris Olympic venues, we’ve seen alcohol restrictions at other major international sporting events only a handful of times. The 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (mainly due to COVID-19. However, with the Paris Olympics taking the lead, we’re starting to see others follow suit such as England’s Euro 2024. Let’s take a closer look at the policies of the Games’ alcohol restrictions to understand exactly why it’s so impactful.

Alcohol Policies for the 2024 Paris Olympics

A new sport, breakdancing, and a revival of other events such as 3x3 basketball and skateboarding aren’t the only shake-up at the Paris Olympics. Officials have confirmed that alcohol restrictions will be implemented at the Games which will take place from July 26th through August 11th. However, alcohol restrictions for sporting events in France are actually not a new concept. Evin’s Law which was implemented in 1991, bans the sale and advertisement of alcohol in sports and physical activity establishments. Although it's a law that’s been in the books for many years in France, it came as a shock to many that no exceptions were filed for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

This means that alcohol won’t be sold or advertised to the general public at the Games. However, there’s a loophole to this ban. Due to different rules for catered hospitality areas, alcoholic beverages will still be sold inside the VIP suites in the stadiums and arenas. Despite this exception, the unwavering stance on keeping alcohol restrictions for the Games is changing the game for sporting events.

Notably, the alcohol company AB InBev has signed as the Olympics worldwide sponsor — naming Corona Cero, a non-alcoholic beer, as the global beer sponsor for the 2024 Games. The decision to keep the Paris Olympics a “clean” event has sparked a spirited debate among conflicting opinions. Let’s gain some insight as to why officials committed to this risky move.

Why Were Alcohol Restrictions Implemented for the Paris Olympics?

Evin’s law, which the Games’ alcohol restrictions follow, was put in place to reduce alcohol-related mortalities by restricting the sale and advertising of alcohol. Despite the massive opportunity to drive revenue with alcohol sales to the spectators of the Games, officials decided against filing for an exemption for many reasons:

• Health and safety concerns. Alcohol is detrimental to our health and safety in any amount but can be even more dangerous when we drink an excessive amount in a short period of time. Binge drinking, which is common during short-term events such as holidays and sporting events, can increase the risk of alcohol poisoning and alcohol-related accidents. As the Olympics is a major sporting event, the officials noted that keeping alcohol restrictions in place can help ensure the well-being of the athletes and spectators.
• Security measures. Security at the Olympics can be challenging, as there are projected to be over 10,000 athletes and 15 million visitors. Add alcohol to the equation and security can be even more difficult. By restricting alcohol, officials hope to reduce the risk of violence and disturbances at the Games.
• Social and cultural considerations. Officials decided not to pursue an exception to the alcohol ban for the Paris Olympics not only for health and safety but also to respect local norms and values. The Paris Olympics alcohol restrictions aren’t a new alcohol ban but one that follows the French, Evin’s law — honoring the host country’s normal regulations.

Although the announcement of the alcohol ban brought mixed opinions, these factors helped officials determine that the pros outweigh the cons. Let’s take a closer look at how these pros and cons will affect the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Impact of the Paris Olympics Alcohol Restrictions

Some potential benefits of the imposed alcohol restrictions include improved health and safety of the Games’ athletes and spectators. Placing a barrier to accessing alcohol will reduce alcohol consumption and as a result, lower the risk of alcohol-related harm. Decreased alcohol-related incidents at the games may also enhance visitors’ experience and enjoyment of the event.

The opposing argument is that alcohol is a major part of sporting events and some argue can enhance the experience. However, it’s important to note that alcohol provides an inauthentic feeling of pleasure. Alcohol is a depressant, so although when we’re drinking we may temporarily feel a boost in our “happy hormones”, it eventually wears off and our mood can swing in the other direction.

Another major impact that the alcohol ban has is on the Games’ vendors and businesses. Typically, alcohol sales bring in significant revenue. Since alcohol won’t be sold or advertised, we’re seeing a positive adaptation in business strategy. The Paris Olympics announced Corona Cero as its non-alcoholic beer sponsor — giving fans an alternative to alcohol and shifting the opportunity to increase revenue using a different market. With benefits and downsides to the implantation of alcohol restrictions at the Games, many are questioning if they’ll even work.

A Spirited Debate: Do Alcohol Restrictions Work?

Alcohol restrictions when implemented and enforced correctly can be beneficial in deterring alcohol consumption. Many people cite Prohibition as a failed attempt to ban alcohol consumption. While this may be true, we’ve learned what doesn’t work and have put in place other measures such as educational resources and non-alcoholic alternatives— putting us in a drastically different position today.

While the restrictions we see today aren’t as exhaustive as a complete ban on alcohol, they follow the same intention, which is to keep us healthy and safe. Some restrictions we see today include a legal drinking age, laws against driving under the influence, and bans for drinking in certain places. These restrictions don’t completely curb alcohol-related harm but they do minimize certain risks.

Examples of more drastic measures to deter alcohol consumption include Qatar’s ban on alcohol sales at World Cup stadiums, Miami Beach’s new regulations during spring break, the Balearic Islands’ new alcohol bans, and many more. While these changes continue to be tweaked for greater effectiveness, we’ve seen many benefits and several challenges. Let’s learn about what these are.

Potential Challenges of Implementing and Enforcing Alcohol Restrictions

The Olympic venues encompass different arenas, stadiums, and housing. Although alcohol won’t be sold to the general public, it’s not guaranteed that people won’t get their hands on it. Around 40,000 agents will be providing security at the Games each day but enforcing the alcohol ban on top of managing large crowds and coordinating among different agencies can prove to be a challenge.

Business and spectator opposition have also proven to be challenging. In 2019, the French Health Minister attempted to ban alcohol even in VIP areas but her idea was quickly shut down by the beverage industry. As the host country for the pinnacle of sporting competition, France works to balance restrictions with hospitality to maintain a safe but welcoming atmosphere for the 2024 Olympics. Although met with some resistance, the alcohol restrictions are changing the game and setting the stage for future events.

Significance of the 2024 Paris Olympics Alcohol Restrictions

Although the 2020 Tokyo Olympics held in 2021 also featured alcohol restrictions, they were mainly due to COVID-19 concerns. As the first of the Games to stand its ground on an alcohol ban, the 2024 Paris Olympics is highly significant for many reasons:

• Sets the tone for professionalism. The Olympics is the peak of sports competitions and using alcohol to celebrate the achievements of the top athletes in the world seems somewhat conflicting. Restricting alcohol sales and advertising at the 2024 Paris Olympics sets the tone for professionalism and appreciation for the competing athletes and the host country.
• Impact on future sporting events. Other events may have been previously hesitant to impose these same restrictions but by taking this step, Paris shows others that it can be done.
• Calls for greater health measures. Although an alcohol ban seems like a drastic measure, data from alcohol-related harm suggests that greater measures may need to be taken in order to improve public health.
• Sparks discussion on other approaches. Even though there are differing opinions about the alcohol restrictions for the Games, the results can spark helpful discussions about what went well and what didn’t. This can help shape future approaches to curbing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm such as alcohol-free zones, increased education and awareness, and enhanced security measures.

While the Paris Olympics is setting the stage for other sporting events, it also serves as a reminder to stay aware of our alcohol consumption in general. Let’s explore some ways we can sharpen our mindful drinking skills.

Beyond the 2024 Paris Olympics: Practicing Mindful Consumption

Although alcohol won’t be sold to the general public at the Paris Olympics, alcohol is around us whether we like it or not. Implementing these mindful drinking practices helps us consume more intentionally when alcohol is around:

• Find alternatives. Corona Cero, the non-alcoholic beer sponsor of the Games this year is one of the many alcohol-free alternatives to try. Enjoy a refreshing Orangina or Perrier (French favorites) or get creative with some mocktail mixing.
• Quit or cut back. As we can see with Evin’s law and other warnings from public health officials, alcohol is detrimental to our health. Quitting or cutting back not only at sporting events but also, in general, is beneficial to our health and well-being.
• Set limits. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest not drinking alcohol or sticking to moderation guidelines if choosing to drink. Setting limits when we drink helps us minimize alcohol-related harm.
• Track consumption. Keeping track of our alcohol consumption helps us stay more mindful and helps us recognize any negative drinking patterns.
• Seek support. If we’re concerned about our relationship with alcohol, we can seek support from others. Reach out to close family and friends, try support groups on apps like Reframe, and seek professional treatment if needed.

These mindful drinking practices aren’t only to ensure our health and safety when watching the Olympics or other sporting events, they’re applicable to any situation to help us consume more intentionally.

Becoming Your Best

As we eagerly anticipate the 2024 Paris Olympics, the decision to implement alcohol restrictions shines as a beacon of change. This major move not only prioritizes the health and safety of the athletes and spectators but also resonates with a growing global consciousness around mindful consumption. Let’s allow the 2024 Paris Olympics to inspire not just records and medals, but a legacy of responsible drinking that can redefine celebrations for generations to come!