By Sujit Jasani, Doha, Nov 15, 2016: The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Bid Committee today set out its compelling vision and Games concept at the XXI Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly in Doha, Qatar.
Paris 2024 delivered its presentation to National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and broader Olympic Family with bid leaders and French sporting heroes taking to the stage to express the city’s unique message – outlining how a Games in Paris would be filled with ‘Passion + Purpose’ through a wonderful celebration of sport and Olympism shared with the world.
Furthermore, ‘Passion + Purpose’ articulates Paris 2024’s promise to host spectacular Games set in the heart of a stunning global city that will create unforgettable athlete and spectator experiences, ensure the global promotion of Olympism and leaves real and lasting legacies.
Paris 2024 speakers presented today as below:
French National Olympic Committee President, Denis Masseglia
Bid Co-Chairman, Bernard Lapasset
Double Olympic Gold Medallist and eight-time World Champion in Judo, Teddy Riner
The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
Bid Co-Chairman, IOC Member and three-time Olympic Gold Medallist, Tony Estanguet
Key to the Paris 2024 presentation was the launch of the bid’s ‘Declaration for NOCs and NPCs’ by Denis Masseglia, French NOC President – a detailed set of proposals that highlights the tailored ‘concierge service’ the city will offer teams of athletes, coaches and officials before, during and after the Games. These 18 key pledges have been designed, in the spirit of Olympic Agenda 2020, to create the optimum conditions for great athlete performances and make Paris 2024 the friendliest Games ever for NOCs and NPCs.
Denis Masseglia, speaking to the global gathering of NOCs, said:
“The presentation of Paris 2024 is about a bid inspired by Olympic values, led by sport and athletes and powered by the collective energy and will of France’s national sports movement.
“It is this energy that we will put at your service with Paris 2024, which will allow us to respond to your needs and those of your athletes, and which today sees us launch the Paris 2024 ‘NOC and NPC Declaration’. It sets out the outstanding service you will receive… And together, in partnership with you, we want to develop these ideas further and so make 2024 an exceptional experience for each of you.”
The full set of pledges to NOCs and NPCs will be published soon at www.paris2024.org
Highlighting the theme of ‘Passion + Purpose’, Paris 2024 Co-Chairman, IOC Member and three-time Olympic Gold Medallist, Tony Estanguet, said:
“I’m convinced that passion and purpose must remain central to our Movement for its future success. And why Paris 2024 is built on those two key pillars: passion and purpose.
“I hope there can be no question about French passion, especially for sport. Olympism is in our DNA. Every Olympic and Paralympic sport has a vibrant community in our country. Since 2010, we have staged more than 40 sold out, international events in Olympic sports.
“The result is a guarantee that Paris 2024 will be successful Games, which deliver… A unique experience… Magnificent TV images… And an incredible celebration, for everyone, in the very heart of Paris.
“To align with Agenda 2020, all of this must be just the start… Because the Games must also have a purpose: to leave a real and lasting legacy… Paris 2024 will deliver both physical legacy… and social legacy.
“Today, we live in a challenging era for sport, even for the world. So, more than ever, we have a responsibility to deliver Games with real, long-term purpose… Which is why we have already started to deliver.
“We are developing new ways of thinking about the future of Olympism… Our belief in sharing is in tune with the way young people all over the world are living their lives today. This engagement… these partnerships… this thinking… all of them, serve one goal: To make the Olympic Movement stronger… To make our family stronger.
“Our vision is to share the passion of the Games… And to share the purpose of Olympism… To ensure that the Olympic Movement fully connects with this new, sharing generation.”
Expressing the importance of the power of sport to create a better world, the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, said:
“The Olympic Games bring humanity together like no other event on earth. You are all important actors in meeting the challenges that face the world’s future – and you have demonstrated this clearly, in the eyes of the world, with Agenda 2020.
“Respecting the planet, fighting for development, creating opportunities for young people, supporting gender equality through sport and especially through the Games, which unite humankind in a way that nothing else can.
“Paris is a confident city, which is not afraid to invent the future. Our vision for 2024 is optimistic, inclusive, joyful – but also clear-sighted and determined. In Paris in 2024 we will swim in the River Seine. We will travel in driverless vehicles. We will celebrate the Games on the Champs Elysees, with the Eiffel Tower and all along the Seine from the Grand Palais to Saint Denis.
“In Paris in 2024 we will open our doors and our hearts to welcome the world, to share our love of life and our love of others. My city is a symbol of creativity, innovation, inclusion and optimism. It is a universal place. The most visited city in the world. We want to work together with all the members of the Olympic and Paralympic Family… to share with the youth of the world.”
Bernard Lapasset, Co-Chairman of Paris 2024, emphasised political and national support:
“Our vision for Paris 2024 is open, forward-looking and unforgettable… putting the athletes at centre-stage. And all with a clear focus on sport and the role it can play in society to help deliver hope, inclusivity and unity.
“The legacy of the Paris 2024 Games will see sport as a driver of positive change in education, health and social inclusion.
“And just as France’s political leaders are united behind our bid, so is the entire nation in all its diversity – from the business community to high school students, who are demonstrating amazing levels of engagement.”
Eight-time World Champion and double Olympic Gold Medallist in Judo, Teddy Riner, highlighted the athlete experience:
“Paris 2024 will offer a compact and connected venue plan when 85 per cent of athletes will be within 30 minutes of their venues. And Paris has also developed the most compact Games-time training plan in the history of the Games.
“Athletes also told us that the Games should be a special moment in their career, a moment they remember forever – from incredible venues, which Paris 2024 will deliver, to full stadia across all sessions and all sports. Paris has a passion for all Olympic and Paralympic sports and so will guarantee an incredible atmosphere.
“And the athletes want to share these special moments with their friends and family – so Paris will create a unique celebration zone in the heart of the city to share our passion for Olympism with the world…. When the magic of Paris will combine with our unique culture of celebration and our passion for Olympism to create a truly incredible experience.”
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