Paris 2024 Olympic Day Party Kicks Off

(ATR) New French President Emmanuel Macron will reinforce his support for the Paris 2024 Olympic bid when he demonstrates his love of sport during Olympic Day celebrations on June 24.

Paris 2024 bid leader Tony Estanguet tells Around the Rings that Macron has supported the candidature since day one of his Presidency and will become an active ambassador for the bid.

"I have to recognize he was available since the beginning and really wanted to be a part of and briefed immediately after he was elected," Estanguet tells ATR during a press gaggle on the River Seine.

"It was the first topic he wanted to push and be involved in. For us it’s just fantastic and we have this momentum from having political leaders – the Head of State, the Mayor of Paris, the President of the Region – they all want to be a part of this bid."

This level of support was further illustrated by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s willingness to jump in a canoe with Olympic rowing champion Estanguet to kick off Olympic Day in Paris. Estanguet and Hidalgo paddled down the Seine along with 200 youth before stopping at the Pont Alexandre III bridge where a high-dive demonstration was staged. Estanguet says he was surprised by the Mayor’s canoeing abilities.

"She is a good paddler, I was surprised because she told me this was her first time," he tells ATR. "I forgot at the beginning the balance of the boat could be at risk, but this wasn’t the case. She’s very stable and I felt immediately that she has done some sport because she had balance and some strength in the arms."

After the thrilling jumps from two divers, the paddlers continued under the bridge where a floating 150-meter track was waiting. Estanguet and the other bid leaders were joined on the track by famous French athletes including Teddy Riner, Renaud Lavillenie and Nicolas Batum. The athletes sprinted down the track with fans cheering along the riverbanks as Riner cruised to victory.

With the first day of Paris’ Olympic Day celebrations nearing an end, Estanguet says he is thrilled by the level of participation and excitement thus far.

"I’m very happy and when I look around people are happy too," he says. "It’s a great opportunity to engage more and more people and to also share one of the pillars of our project which is a celebration in a unique part of Paris with maximum people."

Estanguet tells ATR he wants to use the images and videos of this week’s celebration featuring 33 Olympic and Paralympic sports in the bid’s upcoming presentation to IOC members in Lausanne at the Extraordinary IOC Session on July 11.

"I want to convince the members to choose Paris, so it’s important to have this kind of proof that we are able to organize this kind of event, that we are able to engage people around sport in Paris," he tells ATR.

"I want to use this and share it with the members because it’s unique and it’s better than words. I can speak to them for hours but if I can show them some images or videos it’s much more effective."

What may prove most effective for Paris 2024 is the support of President Macron. Although U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his support for the Los Angeles 2024 candidature and met with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach on June 22, the active involvement of Macron could give Paris the distinct advantage it is seeking.

"We had a discussion with Emmanuel Macron and when we presented this idea of the Olympic Day and he told us ‘this is fantastic, I really want to be part of this’," Estanguet said. "He will come tomorrow, he will come to practice some sport so it’s great.

"For him to be part of this Olympic Day it’s a great signal that this is a priority for the country, and he will be in Lausanne but he also wanted to come to meet the Parisians and people, to meet the national sport movement, to encourage and incentivize everyone to our success."

ATR is told Macron is expected to demonstrate his tennis abilities and possibly showcase some other sports on the second Olympic Day in Paris.

Reported and written by Kevin Nutley in Paris.

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