Olympic rings to stay on Eiffel Tower until 2028, says Paris mayor

Paris mayor plans to keep Olympic rings on Eiffel Tower until 2028 despite criticism, sparking controversy and debate.

Paris's mayor said Friday that she intended to keep the Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower until at least 2028 despite criticism of the idea from some residents and lawmakers.

The logo of five interlocking rings was erected on the beloved monument before the July 28-August 11 Olympics in Paris and has become a popular backdrop for selfies by visitors.

Anne Hidalgo, the Socialist mayor in power since 2014, caused widespread surprise last weekend by saying she intended to retain the symbol.

"The proposal that I have made for the rings... is a proposal that until 2028, until the Games in Los Angeles, we will leave the rings on the Eiffel Tower," she told reporters at a press conference.

"Perhaps after 2028, they'll stay and maybe they won't. Let's see," she added.

The idea has sparked criticism from many opposition Parisian lawmakers, residents as well as conservation groups.

The descendants of the tower's designer, Gustave Eiffel, issued a statement saying that it "does not seem appropriate to us that the Eiffel Tower, which has become the symbol of Paris and the whole of France since its construction 135 years ago, has the symbol of an outside organisation added to it".