IOC expresses gratitude to France and Paris 2024 for Olympic Games of a new era
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today thanked those in France who played an essential role in delivering the sensational Olympic Games Paris 2024. During an emotional event held at the headquarters of the Organising Committee on the morning after the Closing Ceremony, government officials, Organising Committee executives, sports movement representatives, security forces, host regions and volunteers were recognised by IOC President Thomas Bach, IOC Coordination Commission Paris 2024 Chair Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant and the IOC leadership.
At the thank-you event, President Bach said: “It will take some time for all of us to digest this wealth of emotions, experiences, hospitality and smiles that we have enjoyed during these past two weeks."
Every night I would try to recapitulate what I had been through during the day and would always think it could not continue at the same level the day after. But every day it got better. And that was all thanks to our French friends.
He was also impressed with and grateful for the alignment of the different levels of government behind the Games: “Thanks again to all of you for your support and commitment, without which we wouldn’t be where we are today”.
Finally, the IOC President had words of gratitude to his fellow Olympic champion, Tony Estanguet, President of the Organising Committee, and his staff: “You have created a real team, even in the moments when there was some friction between stakeholders. This speaks to your leadership and personality, to be capable of understanding you are a part of a wider group. Chapeau, Tony, and all the team at the Organising Committee.”
The following leading figures were awarded Olympic Orders, the highest distinction bestowed by the IOC, for exceptional contributions to the development of sport and the Olympic Movement:
- Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee
- Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris
- Valerie Pecresse, President of the Regional Council of Île-de-France
- Patrick Ollier, President of the Greater Paris Metropolis
- Stephane Troussel, President of the Departmental Council of Seine-Saint-Denis
- Michel Cadot, Inter-ministerial Delegate for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024
- Amelie Oudea-Castera, Minister of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024
- Nicolas Ferrand, Executive Director-General of SOLIDEO
- Laurent Nunez, Prefect of Police of Paris
- Marc Guillaume, Prefect of the Île-de-France Region
- Etienne Thobois, CEO of Paris 2024
- Michaël Aloïsio, Deputy CEO of Paris 2024
The French National Olympic and Sports Committee, represented by its President, David Lappartient, received the IOC President’s Trophy, entitled “Sky is the Limit”, in recognition of its contribution to the success of the Games, with a record number of 64 medals won.
In addition to the awarding of commemorative pins to representatives of the local security forces and members of the Organising Committee team, another highlight of the event was the tribute paid to volunteers Josselin Pecher and Michele Senechal, herself the oldest volunteer at the event at almost 92 years old, on behalf of all the 45,000 volunteers who helped make the Games happen.
The IOC President also thanked Paris 2024 Coordination Commission Chair Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant for his tireless work, and presented him with a set of Paris 2024 medals.