The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are about to begin. With everything ready for the opening ceremony by the Seine and more than 10,000 athletes from over 200 committees, Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has issued to the most important French media a letter on the Olympic spirit and shared some reflections, highlighting the comforting unity that will be present in a world with a complex geopolitical context.
In that letter the IOC president comments that “as this unique celebration of sport approaches, we all feel that France and the French people are ready to welcome the world’s best athletes with the hospitality and passion for sport for which they are famous around the world.”
“Millions of people have already welcomed the Olympic flame with great enthusiasm as it travels across France…the stage is set for a younger, more inclusive, more urban and more sustainable Olympic Games. They will be the first Olympic Games to fully comply with the IOC’s Olympic Agenda reforms from start to finish.”
He also explained that it will be an Olympic Games in which spectators will also be able to participate, as in the “Marathon for All” event in which 40,000 people will run the same course as the athletes.
THE GEOPOLITICAL CONTEXT
“In this geopolitical context, we are pleased that our many efforts over the past few years have allowed us to bring together athletes from the territories of the 206 National Olympic Committees and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team in a peaceful competition,” continues Bach.
“This means that even if their countries are in conflict or even at war, their athletes will compete respecting the same rules. They will live peacefully together under one roof in the Olympic Village. The world’s top 10,500 athletes will send this inspiring message of unity, hope and peace from France to the world.
“Everyone will feel welcome and at home”
With openness, respect, inclusiveness and true solidarity, everyone will feel welcome and at home at these Paris 2024 Olympic Games. More than half of the world’s population will follow these Olympic Games and will be inspired by this message.
The stage is set: the athletes are ready, all of France is ready, the Olympic Movement is ready. Let’s unite to celebrate and enjoy together a spectacular Olympic Games in Paris 2024. These Olympic Games will be about sport, and about more than sport. To our French Olympic friends, I say: Allez les Bleus!”
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