IOC President Bach and French President Hollande discuss potential French Olympic bid

President Bach says Paris would be a 'very strong' contender

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and French President François Hollande met again today at The Olympic Museum in Lausanne. On the agenda a possible French Olympic bid from Paris for the Olympic Games 2024.

Paris moved a step closer to bidding for the 2024 Olympic Games earlier this month after the city council adopted a resolution in favour of hosting the Games.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for the entire nation to be ready for 2024," said President Hollande. "We know there are steps and procedures to follow. Like in all competitions, there are rules to be respected. We received a lot of information today and we are thankful to the IOC," he added.

"France has a lot to offer to the Olympic Movement and already gave a lot thanks to Pierre de Coubertin. The entire country is behind this candidature. We also learned today that Paris 2024 will focus on the post-games legacy of the venues. This approach fits perfectly within the spirit of Olympic Agenda 2020", said the IOC President.

President Bach was able to update the French President on the progress being made on the implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC’s strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement, in particular the new Invitation Phase of the bidding process. President Hollande stressed the commitment of the French sports and political leaders and added that innovation and technology will play a great role in any bid.

The Invitation Phase is designed to give the IOC the opportunity to ask potential bid cities how they see the Olympic Games best fitting into their long-term social, sports, ecological and economic environment. It also gives the cities an opportunity to receive information and advice from the IOC on how best to achieve such legacies. President Bach recommended that those responsible for considering a 2024 bid from Paris take full advantage of the Invitation Phase.

During this meeting between the two presidents, the French President also invited the IOC to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference will take place in Paris at the end of the year. President Bach said: "It is a great pleasure for us to accept this invitation. Through Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC has strengthened its commitments to sustainable development in sport. It is very important for us to make our contribution and efforts for the future of our planet."

Before leaving the Olympic Museum, President Hollande reiterated his support to the Olympic Movement: "With all my support to the Olympic Movement and the values it promotes. I am proud to be welcome here in Lausanne at the IOC by its President Thomas Bach", he wrote in the Golden Book.

Today was the third time the two leaders had met since President Bach was elected to his post on 10 September 2013. The two first met at the Élysée Palace in Paris and more recently at the Sommet de la Francophonie in Dakar, Senegal.

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