IOC President Bach in Paris to meet President Macron, and visit the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games Paris 2024
On the eve of two years to go until the opening of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, IOC President Thomas Bach was in Paris on Monday to meet French President Emmanuel Macron.
The two leaders discussed the preparations for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, and the seamless cooperation between the Organising Committee and the French government.
President Bach thanked the French President for his leadership and great committment to the success of the Games. He also noted the enthusiasm of the French people for the Olympic Games, and the great inclusivity of the project. A recent report found an approval rating of 80 per cent for the Games, rising to 90 per cent among young French people.
The two discussed the proposed plans for the Opening Ceremony of the Games along the River Seine. President Bach expressed his full confidence in the security provided by the French authorities, which had been evident again during the very successful final stage of the Tour de France along the Champs-Elysées, which President Bach had attended the day before.
The two leaders also discussed the current geopolitical situation.
On the eve of the two-years-to-go celebrations, President Bach also met the team from the Organising Committee led by Tony Estanguet, and had the opportunity to address staff at their headquarters. He told them: "You have a unique opportunity to present Olympic Games of a new era in Paris, in the home of our founder, Pierre de Coubertin."
At the meeting, the Paris 2024 organisers unveiled their slogan for the Games: "Ouvrons Grand Les Jeux - Games Wide Open."
The day before, the IOC President had been in Paris for the final stage of the Tour de France on the Champs Elysées. After the finish he was able to congratulate the winner, Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard, on his great performance.