Paris left splits over awarding of city's marathon to Bolloré-linked company
The Paris City Council is divided over the decision to award the marathon organization to a company linked to billionaire Vincent Bolloré. Critics from the left argue that this partnership undermines the values of the left and raises concerns about commercialization in sports. The decision followed a public tender process that evaluated management quality, financial offers, and environmental considerations.
- ▪The Paris marathon is set to take place in front of the Louvre Museum on April 12, 2026.
- ▪The left is divided over awarding the marathon to Cadence, a group linked to Vincent Bolloré.
- ▪Sophia Chikirou from La France Insoumise criticized the decision as a commercialization of sport.
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The marathon in front of the Louvre Museum, in Paris, on April 12, 2026. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire, himself an endurance running enthusiast, was absent for the final debate at the Paris City Council on the evening of Wednesday, May 20, which focused on renewing the concession contract for organizing the Paris marathon and half-marathon. In the Socialist's absence, the left split over the awarding of this legendary race to a new organizer, Cadence, a group that includes Havas, which is owned by conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré's family. "When you are on the left, you cannot entrust the running of the Paris marathon to entities linked to or owned by the Bolloré group," disapproved Sophia Chikirou, of La France Insoumise (LFI, radical left).
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Le Monde (EN).
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