Paris’ bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Friday submitted the final volume of its bid book to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and hit the international campaign trail under the new banner “Made For Sharing.”
The Eiffel Tower is lit up like the Paris 2024 Olympic bid logo with the slogan “Made To Share” on Feb. 3, 2017 (Paris 2024 Photo)
Though the 2024 bid is currently a three-horse race, Paris’ direct competition is considered to be Los Angeles with outsider Budapest currently struggling to hold on to domestic support for its Olympic project as the opposition pushes for a referendum.
On Friday while LA answered questions about the walls and travel bans that are part of newly elected President Donald Trump’s policies, Paris has been discussing new programs for refugees, and building metaphorical bridges. Both cities are looking to host their third Games.
Paris Mayor 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.”
Festivities were planned throughout the day to celebrate the final bid book submission and the start of the international promotion campaign but a shadow was cast when early Friday a French soldier shot a man armed with a machete at the Louvre museum in what appeared to be an attempted terror attack. However, officials vowed not to be deterred and continued with plans.
The “Made for Sharing” slogan reveal occurred by projection on the Eiffel Tower, where accompanied by a never-before seen light show, the Eiffel Tower was lit up like the bid logo.
“For one night, the world’s most recognized monument reflected the bid logo and strapline to signal that Paris 2024 is ready to take the bid on the road to Lima, Peru, when the host city for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be chosen,” a bid statement said.
“Sharing is a part of the Paris 2024 DNA. From building the project through public consultation across society, to the bid’s vision for how the Games will be brought to life in 2024. As the world gradually becomes more sustainable, Paris 2024 believes the concept of sharing is a key element for a better life. More than any other city, Paris has a deeply rooted culture of sharing. It is the world’s sharing capital and the most shared city on social media.”
During a presentation prior to the reveal, top leaders spoke of their vision for the Games including Paris 2024 Co-Chairs Tony Estanguet and Bernard Lapasset, French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and Valérie Pécresse, President of the Île-de-France region.
Together they outlined the key strengths of Paris’ bid including the ultra-compact, city-centre inspired concept; the potential for the most sustainable Games ever; and a legacy legacy which could see Paris 2024 become a model of sustainable development, innovation and social purpose.
Speaking at the event, Paris 2024 Bid Co-Chair and IOC Member said “our team has studied hard to understand the magic recipe to guarantee a successful Games.”
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo at Paris 2024 International launch event February 3, 2017 (Paris 2024 Photo)
“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 mesmerizing 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.”
Paris 2024 Bid Co-Chair Bernard Lapasset said “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.”
The IOC Evaluation Commission is set to visit Paris to review venues and documents starting May 14. The IOC will elect a winner September 13 in Lima, Peru.
