Paris Olympic Bid Highlights Success of Euro 2016

(ATR) Co-chairman Bernard Lapasset tells Around the Rings the 2024 bid will capitalize on the successful staging of the Euro 2016 football championship in its Olympic campaign.

"France already has a first-class track record in hosting major sports events and the successful Euro is further evidence of the country’s exceptional hosting capabilities," Lapasset told ATR.

"The excitement and celebrations that we have seen in full to capacity stadia and fan zones has been truly inspirational.

"Paris 2024 aims to harness the passion and desire for live sport in France and channel this energy into our bid to deliver an unforgettable Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024," he added.

UEFA has been criticized for expanding its flagship tournament from 16 to 24 teams for the first time, which partly led to some dire football games. But French organizers received widespread praise for managing the competition amid heightened security fears following November’s terrorist attacks, which killed 130 people and injured dozens more.

"I would like to congratulate UEFA and the local organizing committee for putting on a hugely successful Euro 2016 and a fantastic celebration of football that has touched the nation," Lapasset said, adding his tribute to those coming from other quarters. "Every host city played its own unique part and it has been wonderful to see fans across the country showing their passion and love for sport."

Despite ugly episodes of fan violence marring the opening days of the tournament, the security and policing of the 51-match event at 10 stadiums across France was applauded. Around 1,550 people were arrested during the month-long event.

French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve deemed it a success, particularly as France was in a state of high alert for the duration of the football competition won by Portugal on Sunday. Ronaldo’s team upstaged the favorites France 1-0 to be crowned champions of Europe.

Praising the police and security forces, he said: "Despite the very high threat, Euro 2016 was a success."

"We were all haunted by fear of a terrorist attack. We were lucky that nothing serious happened and it is a great relief," organizing committee chief Jacques Lambert was quoted by AFP.

Meeting on Saturday in Paris, the UEFA Executive Committee "praised the competitiveness of the championship in its new 24-team format" and paid tribute to organizers in the French host cities and the 6,500 volunteers.

Click here for photos of Paris during the Euro 2016 tournament.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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