The Paris 2024 Bid Committee has marked a major milestone in its bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games with a special presentation to the world’s media to signal the start of international promotion in Paris today.
In a demonstration of the bid’s unity, Paris 2024 leadership, top athletes, political and business leaders came together to share an update on the bid’s progress toward its Games of passion, and purpose following the submission of the third and final bid book for the candidature of the 2024 Games. Paris 2024 Co-Chairs Tony Estanguet and Bernard Lapasset were joined by French Prime Minister, Bernard Cazeneuve; Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo; Valérie Pécresse, President of the Île-de-France region; Olympic Basketball silver medallist Emmeline Ndongue and triple Paralympic Champion Marie-Amélie Le Fur.
Highlights of the presentation, which outlined plans submitted to IOC as part of Paris 2024’s candidature file, included details of the city’s ultra-compact, city-centre inspired concept, which will see the athlete and fan –friendly Games take place across spectacular and iconic locations right in the heart of Paris.
It illustrated Paris’ 2024’s bold vision to deliver the most sustainable Games ever, with 95% of venues either pre-existing or temporary structures, a world-class public transport system and a ground breaking carbon emissions strategy aligning it closely with both Olympic Agenda 2020 and the Paris Climate Agreement.
It also defined the city’s approach to legacy which will see Paris 2024 become a model of sustainable development, innovation and social purpose, building on the city’s global leadership and the positive role sport can play in society to deliver real community legacies for generations to come. Legacies that can be adapted and shared as a blueprint for future host cities.
Speaking at the event, Paris 2024 Bid Co-Chair, IOC Member and triple Olympic Champion Tony Estanguet said:
"Our team has studied hard to understand the magic recipe to guarantee a successful Games. It is why we have put athletes at the very heart of our plans and developed an extremely compact Games plan with 85% of venues being within 10km. It is why we will use iconic venues such as Roland Garros, Stade de France and the Chateau de Versailles to give the athletes a mesmerising stage to perform on. And it is why we will share the Games with the largest possible audience because the greatest shows are those shared with the most people.
"When we launched our bid 18 months ago, we were driven by a desire to share our deep passion and affection for the Games, to make the Olympic Movement stronger and to share the purpose of Olympism. Our goal is to take the spirit of the Games out of the stadium and into the streets, to be shared with the people of Paris and the world. A sharing Games for a sharing world. Paris 2024 will create incredible pictures and incredible emotions for all the participants, right here in the heart of one of the world’s truly global and connected cities.
Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, said:
"Paris embodies the values of democracy, a belief in the human spirit and an absolute commitment to protect the environment we live in. In 2024, we hope to share the best of our city and stage an Olympic and Paralympic Games that will showcase new ways of living and hosting. It is this spirit of openness, of giving back and of sharing that will define an Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024.
"Paris is a truly global city that belongs to the world because so many Parisians come to the city from elsewhere. I was born in Spain and my own dream came true when I arrived in Paris. Today, Paris is a capital city of creativity, innovation and optimism. And we are also building a city for the future, one that is proud to be a world leader in environmental issues and sustainable development. Paris has always stood on the cutting edge of progress and that is why a Games in Paris will be the first ever to be aligned with the Paris Agreement."
Paris 2024 Bid Co-Chair, Bernard Lapasset, added:
"As we submit our final Bid Book to the IOC, today marks an important milestone for all those who dream of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris a hundred years after 1924. In 2024, the Games in Paris will come alive with the passion of the French people, and today more than 70% of people across our nation support our bid.
"We also have the backing of local communities and their leaders as the 36,000 mayors of France have given their support to Paris 2024 too. By building this project together, with the people of France, we want sport to play an even bigger role in our daily lives. And this legacy vision is a central theme we want to promote - highlighting that sport can unite, build bridges between women and men, between generations, and between cultures."
For more information, please contact:
Raphaël Leclerc
Paris 2024 Bid Committee
Email: rleclerc@paris2024.org
Phone: +33 6 73 16 88 06
Sujit Jasani
VERO Communications
Email: sjasani@verocom.co.uk
Phone: +44 (0)207 812 6589 / +44 (0)7940 375 282
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