Construction projects for Olympic Games are some of the biggest in the world. They invariably involve the creation of brand-new arenas and stadiums, and even entire urban districts. Occasionally a building project somewhere else in the world can lay claim to being larger, but one characteristic distinguishes Olympic projects from many others: the immoveable deadline.
As the end date approaches, the atmosphere on the construction site becomes increasingly stressful. And, with a large number of machines and workers excavating, building and moving material, the rate of accidents tends to be higher than on other construction sites. In the lead-up to the last summer Olympics, in Brazil in 2016, 11 construction workers died.
Two years earlier, more than 60 workers died during construction for the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia, with some reports putting the true figure in the hundreds. These are shocking statistics that the organizers of the Paris Olympic Games in 2024 will be anxious not to repeat. Hence the creation of this CMC concept wheel loader, developed to enhance safety through design and reduce accidents on the construction sites of Paris 2024.
Alberto Seco’s concept revives the distinctive red and white livery of CMC (Constructions Mécaniques de Carvin) vehicles – icons of French industrial vehicle history, produced in the manufacturing facilities of the Poclain vehicle division.
The first wheel loader models were launched in 1971, followed by tracked models. Production of dozers was planned and some prototypes were built, but the mid-1970s recession forced the sale of the Poclain construction vehicle arm to Case and led to the disappearance of the CMC brand.
