France Passes Olympic Law

(ATR) The "Olympic law" required to legally create the Paris 2024 organizing committee has passed through the French government.

French Sports Minister Laura Flessel personally lobbied the French Senate to pass the law today. The law had been approved by the National Assembly the day prior.

The law, required by the IOC, is passed in host cities after being awarded the Games. It helps legally create the organizing committee in charge of the Games as well as granting specific trademarks required ahead of hosting an Olympics.

Flessel spoke to lawmakers about reports of potential budget risks associated with the Paris Games, offering assurances, according to a report from L’Equipe.

Former sports minister Patrick Kanner called on organizers to "not only to create the conditions for a beautiful setting for these Olympic Games, but also to ensure that this has a beautiful jewel, and this jewel will be the results of [French] athletes" according to L’Equipe.

Paris 2024 is currently addressing budgetary concerns for the project from French lawmakers after a report issued by the Ministries of Finance and Sport. The report singled out concerns over potential budget overruns, especially for venues in the department of Saint Denis, north of Paris, according to a report from Le Parisien.

"The work currently being carried out by the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) contributes, like the project review conducted with the IOC, to identify any possible project, to find solutions before the first works," Paris 2024 was quoted as saying in response. "This report confirms the common will of all the project's stakeholders to engage in Paris 2024 while maintaining full budgetary control, which is consistent with the logic of the IOC’s Agenda 2020."

Written by Aaron Bauer

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