LIMA, September 13, 2017 - The Paris 2024 Olympic andParalympic Bid Committee is today joining thewhole of France in celebration, following the official confirmation atthe IOC Session in Lima, Peru, that Paris will host the 2024Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The decision is the climax of a two-yearjourney that has seen the Paris 2024 team assemble and promote a stunning,innovative Games plan.
Led by Bid Committee Co-Chair and nowOrganising Committee President, Tony Estanguet, the Committeedelivered a final presentation to the IOC before a vote of the Membersconfirmed that the city would host the Games in 2024.
To celebrate the historic decision a statueof the Olympic Rings was erected at the Trocadero, just in front of the iconicEiffel Tower. The Rings will remain in place until September 17, beforethey travel around the city for the people of Paris to enjoy.
Paris 2024 Bid Co-Chair, Tony Estanguet, said:
“This is a wonderful moment for the peopleof Paris and France and also the Olympic Movement. The Games are coming toParis for the first time in 100 years and we will deliver an amazingcelebration of sport at the heart of one of the world's greatest cities.
“I want to pay tribute to the energy andinspiration of the team and all our stakeholders for achieving this incrediblevictory. and say thank you to the IOC for granting us the right to host theGames. This historic decision would have not been possible without thecommitment and passion or our team, our city, our country, together we haveachieved our mandate to bring the Games to Paris in 2024.
“We are honoured and proud to have beenchosen as Host City, we will enjoy the moment and begin our work to delivereverything we have set out in our bid. This is a special day."
Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, added:
“It is a historical moment: 100 years after1924, we bring the Games back to Paris! This victory is all the more beautifulbecause it is collective, generous effort. My first thoughts go to theParisians and the citizens of the Paris region, especially the inhabitants ofthe Seine Saint Dens, who thanks to the Games will see their daily lifeimprove.
“I want to tell them, as well as to allFrench people, that these Games will be a real accelerator of ecologicaltransition, job creation and solidarity. They are the confirmation of apositive future for our youth. Let's be proud! When Paris takes up thechallenges of the 21st century, it is all France that wins.”
CNOSF President, Denis Masseglia, added:
“This is a historic and momentous momentfor French sport. The Olympics and Paralympic Games have the ability to inspirepeople, and hosting the Games in 2024 is a boost for sport across our nation.
“We have been on an incredible journeytogether with such an amazing team who have created a new momentum for oursports movement. The future of French sport is now changed forever, and thehard work begins again as we commit ourselves to delivering the best possibleGames and a lasting and real legacy."
Bernard Lapasset, Paris 2024 Co-Chair, said:
"This victory is a victory for all ofFrance. It is an immense pleasure and a great honour to have been involved asCo-Chair of this brilliant Bid Committee. I have been lucky in my life and inmy career to live many great sports moment and September 13, 2017 is a date thatnow enters the history of French sport. The Games are back in Paris, a hundredyears on, and this is a great news for France and the entire sportsmovement!"
Laura Flessel, French Minister of Sport, added:
"This moment is both the climax of anincredible journey and the beginning of a new adventure. The awarding of theOlympic and Paralympic Games to Paris is the result of more than two and a halfyears of collective work, and I would like to thank all the partners who haveinvested in this beautiful project, starting with the athletes.
“It is also the beginning of a newadventure, because a lot of work is waiting for us to organize a Games tomatch our ambitions, and one which will leave a lasting legacy to Paris andthroughout France. Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games is an investment inthe future and the State has been fully mobilized since the launch of thecandidature."
Emmanuelle Assmann, President of theFrench Paralympic Committee (CPSF), added:
"I am very pleased with this decision.It is a tremendous opportunity for the Paralympic movement. The FrenchParalympic Committee has united alongside the bid committee of Paris 2024 andas a founding member, we can be proud of this historic achievement.
“The IOC's awarding of the Olympic andParalympic Games to Paris in 2024 will allow us to make a giant leap in thefuture of French sport. We will have unprecedented visibility and mediacoverage for the world’s best Paralympic athletes. Organizing an event of thismagnitude is an incredible opportunity to improve citizens' everyday lives interms of accessibility and to increase access to sport for all people withimpairments. These Games, in Paris, in 2024, will be the Games to be shared byall!"
Valérie Pécresse, President of theIle-de-France Region, said:
"We have the Games! Let us be happy,let us be proud because France wins! The Games are a dream of ours, and it isnow a reality. This is a fantastic spotlight on our athletes, on the talents ofour youth and the know-how of our organisations. Through the journey, we havemanaged to overcome our difficulties to work together - the sports movement,the State, the Region and the City – to create a formidable project that willchange our region and our country. "
Guy Drut, French IOC member, added:
"Having been at the heart of all theprevious French candidates since the early 80s, this victory is particularlyemotional. It is the fruit of a collective effort and demonstrates thattogether, united by a joint passion, we can accomplish great things. Paris 2024is a beautiful project. It is undoubtedly the most accomplished and ambitiousof all. It is more than a project for Paris, it is an ambition for our wholecountry.”
