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The 2024 Paris Olympic Games will take place in France between 26 July to 11 August in venues across mainland France. Surfing events are to be held in Tahiti, French Polynesia. The 2024 Paralympic Games will take place between 28 August to 8 September 2024 in venues across France.

More than 11 million visitors are expected to attend the Paris Olympics and a further 3.8 million for the Paralympics.(1) Further event-specific information can be found on the official websites for:

The potential health risks for travellers attending the 2024 Paris Games will vary depending on individual health risk factors, the amount of time spent in France and/or Tahiti, varying infection-related risks across the country, planned leisure pursuits, and whether onward travel to other destinations is scheduled, These should be discussed as part of your risk assessment.

Advice to Travellers

Before Travel

Travellers planning on travelling to France and/or Tahiti, before booking their trip, should:

review the latest FCDO foreign travel advice for France and/or French Polynesia including entry requirements and passport validity, safety and security issues and travel warnings.
take precautions to maintain their personal safety whilst travelling.
review and follow the most up to date available travel health advice for France, and French Polynesia, including related disease outbreaks and news items.
plan ahead due to the increased demand on transport and accommodation, and prepare to deal with the anticipated crowded conditions around stadiums.
ensure they have valid travel insurance in place, which covers any pre-existing medical conditions, noting that an EHIC/GHIC card isn’t a replacement for travel insurance.

In the past, large gatherings of people including at sporting events, have been responsible for the transmission of highly infectious diseases, such as measles.

It is important to check that all travellers are up to date with all routine immunisations recommended for the UK, including two lifetime doses of MMR vaccine.

During Travel

Crowding around stadiums and public transport increases the risk of both respiratory and gastrointestinal illness.

Food and water precautions and respiratory hygiene should be discussed with all travellers.

Diseases spread by biting insects, including ticks and mosquitoes are a risk in certain parts of France and Tahiti. The risk may be higher in summer months, and for travellers planning on visiting rural areas, including parks and woodlands.

mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and West Nile virus are on the rise in Europe
travellers should be made aware of how to avoid and treat insect bites and mosquito bites.

Excessive alcohol and/or illicit drug use can lead to being denied entry to stadiums, and increase risk-taking behaviours which may lead to incidents such as accidents and/or injuries occurring.

Travellers should be advised to:

moderate their alcohol intake. Drinks should never be left unattended or accepted from strangers.
avoid adventure sports or recreational water activities after drinking alcohol.
carry a simple first aid kit can help to self-manage basic health problems.
practice safer sex and use condoms if partaking in casual sexual relationships; which can help reduce the risk of exposure to blood borne viruses and other sexual health risks
seek advice if they think they may have been exposed to an STI.

The summer temperatures in France and Tahiti can become hot and humid. Practicing sun safety can help reduce the risk of sunstroke and other heat disorders in warm weather, as well as skin cancer. Travellers should be advised to:

keep well hydrated with non-alcoholic drinks.
wear a high factor sunscreen (at least SPF 30).
seek shade during the hottest hours of the day, and/or use sunglasses and a head covering if shade isn’t possible.

For further information on disease risks, other health risks and vaccination advice, see the France country page, and the French Polynesia country page.

After Travel

Travellers should be advised that if they become unwell in the weeks/months after travel, particularly with a fever, flu-like symptoms, rash and/or diarrhoea, they should seek prompt medical advice, and ensure they mention their travel history to the health professional.

Further information:

References:

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. ECDC publishes mass gathering recommendations ahead of packed summer calendar [Internet]. Media centre. 2024 [cited 17 Jun 2024]. Available from: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/ecdc-publishes-mass-gathering-recommendations-ahead-packed-summer-calendar